Page 1 of 1 For the 1989 season the Erich Zakowski run Zakspeed team hired two experienced engineers to built that year's new Formula 1 contender. Overall design was done by the experienced Austrian designer Gustav Brunner. He was helped by ex-Ferrari composite expert Nino Frisson. The end-result was the very slim Zakspeed 891, which looked very conventional from every angle. Forced induction was banned from the start of the season so Zakspeed needed a replacement for their own four-cylinder engines; Yamaha's V8 engine was picked.
Zakspeed's 1988 driver Bernd Schneider was retained and he was joined by the Japanese Aguri Suzuki with help from Yamaha. Although the 891 looked like it meant business, it was a complete failure. Despite his apparent talents, Schneider only managed to qualify the car twice in 16 attempts. He retired in both races. Suzuki was not allowed to start a single race. Main sponsor West announced to quit Zakspeed in August of 1989 and they were quickly followed by head-designer Brunner. Zakspeed did not return to Formula 1 in 1990.
Zakspeed returned to GT and Touring Car races and were quite successful again in the 1990s. Bernd Schneider also turned to Touring Car racing and is now a multiple German Touring Car (DTM) champion. Suzuki stayed in Formula 1, but never achieved any outstanding results. Brunner went on to design competitive Formula 1 racers for Ferrari and Toyota.
One of the Zakspeed 891s is seen here on display in the Hockenheim museum. Ironically the 891 did not manage to qualify for the race on the Hockenheimring in 1989. Page 1 of 1
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For the 1989 season the Erich Zakowski run Zakspeed team hired two experienced engineers to built that year's new Formula 1 contender. Overall design was done by the experienced Austrian designer Gustav Brunner. He was helped by ex-Ferrari composite expert Nino Frisson. The end-result was the very slim Zakspeed 891, which looked very conventional from every angle. Forced induction was banned from the start of the season so Zakspeed needed a replacement for their own four-cylinder engines; Yamaha's V8 engine was picked.