Merzario’s misfortunes

Arturo Merzario appears to be struggling with his Merzario A1-1-Cosworth during the 1978 South African Grand Prix, held at the Kyalami circuit. The diminutive Italian driver qualified just in 26th position but was forced to retire on lap 39 with a broken suspension.

For the 1978 F1 season, Merzario partnered with Swiss entrant Guglielmo Bellasi and founded his own team. The first Merzario, called the A1, was heavily inspired by the March 761B with which the Italian had raced in 1977.

For the Monaco Grand Prix, Merzario decided to change the livery and paint it black, but this single-seater would not finish a single Grand Prix until the Swedish Grand Prix where it was not classified, finishing eight laps behind the winner!

From the Austrian Grand Prix onwards, a second A1 was presented, but observers suspected that it was in fact the old March 761B, fitted with just the new bodywork… Needless to say, not a single point was scored all season.