Yamaha follows Honda into F1

Japanese engineering is set to make further inroads on the European establishment in Grand Prix racing, with the announcement at Monza that Yamaha will supply engines to the Zakspeed team in 1989.

The 31/2-litre five-valve V8, known as OX88, is a development of the unit used exclusively in Japan’s own Formula 3000 series this year.

Erich Zakowski’s team, from Niederzissen in West Germany, has used its own 4-cylinder turbocharged Zakspeed engine since its Formula One debut in 1985.