The new regulations introduced by the FIA for 1989, which eliminate the powerful but equally expensive turbo engines, seem to point toward a much less costly Formula One, thus making it more accessible even for smaller teams. As a result, several key figures from Formula 3000 are planning to make the leap into the top category for 1989. Among them is FIRST Racing, founded by Lamberto Leoni, a seasoned driver with experience in Formula 3, Formula 2, and five appearances in the Formula 1 World Championship. After his brief stint in the premier class, Leoni remained active in the world of motorsport and established his own team, FIRST Racing, which has been competing in Formula 3000 since 1986 with considerable success, securing several victories and fielding talented drivers such as Marco Apicella, Fabrizio Giovanardi, Pierluigi Martini, and Gabriele Tarquini, as well as Leoni himself.
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| FIRST 891, Gabriele Tarquini Motor Show Bologna 1988 |
In 1988, once the new technical regulations for 1989 were confirmed, Leoni seized the opportunity and launched the project for the First 891 single-seater, placing it under the direction of Brazilian engineer Richard Divila, formerly a designer for Fittipaldi-Copersucar in the late 1970s. In addition to the South American technician, engineer Gianni Marelli, who had prior experience with Ferrari and later with Alfa Romeo, where he designed the iconic 33 Stradale in 1967, also worked on the project. The two set about developing a fairly traditional car, featuring the indispensable carbon monocoque chassis fitted with a Judd CV V8 engine. The car's design was quite conventional and minimal, with a low, slim, and tapered nose, and very low, narrow, and streamlined side pods. Gabriele Tarquini was immediately designated as the lead driver, and the car was ready for its first tests in the winter of 1988 at Monza. Meanwhile, Brazilian technician Divila was hired by Ligier as technical director and thus left the project just a couple of months later, handing it over to Marelli.
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| FIRST 891, Gabriele Tarquini test at Monza Circuit |
In December of the same year, Tarquini participated in the Bologna Motor Show in an indoor exhibition race, the Memorial Attilio Bettega, marking the First 891’s track debut with decent results and a moment in the spotlight. Unfortunately, financial difficulties began to take their toll even before the official World Championship campaign began. As a result, the plan for a second car, initially intended for Julian Bailey and later for the experienced Colin Bennett, was abandoned. In the FIA's official entry list, FIRST Racing was registered with only one car, designated for Tarquini and assigned number 42. The car’s chassis had been developed starting from the March 87 used in Formula 3000, and even Divila, who saw his completed vehicle for the first time at the Bologna Motor Show, expressed several doubts about its actual safety. Indeed, the FIA-mandated crash test was conducted shortly before departure for Brazil, the venue of the first Grand Prix of the season, and confirmed the Brazilian technician’s concerns, as the car failed the test.
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| FIRST 891, Gabriele Tarquini Motor Show Bologna 1988 |
Leoni neither had the time nor the financial resources to modify the car, bring it up to standard, and attempt the crash test again, so his entry for the Brazilian Grand Prix was canceled. FIRST Racing returned to Formula 3000 until the end of the 1991 season, after which it permanently shut down operations. Lamberto Leoni went on to compete in powerboat racing alongside his friend Didier Pironi, while the FIRST 891 chassis, thanks to Marelli’s efforts, was purchased by Ernesto Vita and became the Life L190 for the following season.
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