Japanese backing

Leyton House Racing was a Formula One constructor that raced in 1990 and 1991 seasons. It was, in essence, a rebranding of the March team which had returned to F1 in 1987.

Leyton House, a Japanese real estate company who thrived during Japan’s economic boom in the early 90’s, but then went bankrupt and fraud was suspected, had been the team’s main sponsor since 1987 and went on to buy the team in 1989.

Drivers Ivan Capelli and Mauricio Gugelmin, who had been with March since 1987 and 1988 respectively, continued with the team under its new name.

While not a brand new design, CG891 was an evolution of the successful 881 and even featured the narrow-angle Judd EV V8 that had been designed specifically to suit engineer Adrian Newey’s needs.

The 891 proved to be a disappointment, suspension geometry had some flaws and bigger steps forward had been made by rivalling teams. The best results of the season were three seventh place finishes for the pretty turquoise car.

Picture above: Mauricio Gugelmin and Ivan Capelli next to the Leyton House March CG891-Judd V8, in the pitlane at Imola 1989.