In 1976, Japan hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first time in its history, and Kenji Mimura, who had founded the Maki Engineering team in 1974, was determined to take part. After failed attempts to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix with the F101 in 1974 and the F101C in 1975, the team designed the new MAKI F102A for the 1976 season.
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| MAKI F102A, Tony Trimmer Fuji, Japanese GP 1976 |
However, at the end of 1975, Maki lost its sole sponsor, Citizen, leaving the small Japanese team with extremely limited financial resources, making it impossible to participate regularly in the championship. Mimura therefore decided to focus all his efforts on preparing for the Fuji Grand Prix, entrusting the design of the F102A to Masao Ōno’s team, the same group working on the Kojima KE007. The new car featured an aluminum monocoque chassis and was powered by the classic Ford Cosworth DFV V8 engine, managed by a five-speed Hewland gearbox. The F102A was essentially another evolution of the previous F101 project, but this time with significant structural changes that took it to the opposite extreme. While the old F101 had been bulky and heavy, the new F102A was almost excessively light and minimalistic, giving it the appearance of an unfinished car.
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| MAKI F102A, Tony Trimmer Fuji, Japanese GP 1976 |
Its extremely narrow nose, the complete absence of side pods, and the fully exposed suspension and engine made the car resemble a lower-tier formula single-seater rather than a proper Formula 1 car. Moreover, when it finally hit the track, it exhibited severe traction and power issues that could not be resolved before the Japanese Grand Prix. British driver Tony Trimmer was once again chosen to drive for the small Japanese team, but he could do nothing more than set a lap time 13.2 seconds slower than the next slowest car on the grid, the private Williams driven by Masami Kuwashima. Unsurprisingly, the car failed to qualify for the race, marking the final appearance of Maki Engineering in Formula 1.
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