The Maki Formula 1 project was created by a small and enthusiast team led by Kenji Mimura in partnership with Masao Ono. The original F101 car was shown in London in March of 1974. When presented the car had a bulkily, by contemporary standards, bodywork. The rest of the card was standard kit-car for the day, using the Cosworth DFV and Hewland gearbox.
Ex-BRM driver, Howden Ganley was signed up to handle the driving chores and the team eventually turned up for the July British Grand Prix. Ganley didn’t post any times during the Thursday practice sessions. His 1.23.7 tine recorded during the last session on Friday was 4 seconds slower than pole winner Lauda in the Ferrari 312B3 and to slow to qualify.