Kojima Engineering was one of Formula One’s great underdog stories — a fiercely ambitious Japanese constructor that dared to take on the world with home-built machinery, local talent and a determination that far outweighed its size. Active in Formula One during the 1976 and 1977 Japanese Grands Prix, the team became an important symbol of Japan’s rapidly growing motorsport scene during the 1970s.
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Years Active | 1976–1977 |
| First Race | 1976 Japanese Grand Prix |
| Last Race | 1977 Japanese Grand Prix |
| Race Entries | 2 |
| Race Starts | 2 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Pole Positions | 0 |
| Fastest Laps | 0 |
| Points | 0 |
| Constructors’ Championships | 0 |
| Drivers’ Championships | 0 |
| Best Start | 10th |
| Best Finish | 11th |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 0 |
| Retirements | 1 |
The operation was founded in 1976 by businessman and racing enthusiast Matsuhisa Kojima. Having built his fortune through the banana import trade, Kojima channelled his success into motorsport, a passion that stretched back to his motocross riding days in the 1960s. By the mid-70s, his team had already earned respect in Japanese Formula Two competition, and Kojima saw an opportunity to take the next step onto Formula One’s biggest stage.
With support from tyre manufacturer Dunlop for the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway, the team developed its first Formula One machine: the Kojima KE007. To strengthen the project, Kojima recruited several experienced personnel from the struggling Maki Formula One operation, helping transform the ambitious dream into a genuine Grand Prix entry. Power came from the legendary Cosworth DFV engine, the benchmark Formula One customer engine of the era.
Throughout autumn 1976, the KE007 underwent extensive testing with the leading Japanese driver, Masahiro Hasemi, behind the wheel. Few expected the newcomer to trouble the established teams — but Kojima Engineering stunned the paddock during qualifying at Fuji when Hasemi posted the fourth-fastest time in the opening session. For a brief moment, the tiny Japanese constructor looked capable of an extraordinary upset against Formula One’s global elite.
The fairytale nearly unravelled in the second qualifying session when Hasemi crashed heavily, forcing the team to rebuild the car almost entirely before race day. Despite the setback, Hasemi lined up 10th on the grid and delivered a spirited performance in front of the home crowd. Tyre troubles eventually hampered his race, leaving him classified 11th at the finish, but the effort earned widespread admiration throughout the paddock.
There was further drama after the race when Hasemi was initially credited with setting the fastest lap — a result that would have marked a sensational achievement for both driver and constructor. However, officials later confirmed it had been caused by a timing error, and the accolade was officially reassigned to Jacques Laffite several days later.
Kojima Engineering returned for the 1977 Japanese Grand Prix with an updated machine, the Kojima KE009. Plans to contest races in South America earlier that year had ultimately been shelved, allowing the team to focus its efforts on Fuji once again. This time, Bridgestone supplied the tyres, but performance proved disappointing compared to the previous year’s Dunlop package.
Japanese driver Noritake Takahara qualified 19th for the race before retiring after an incident while avoiding debris on track. A second KE009 was also entered by Heros Racing, with Kazuyoshi Hoshino driving the car to 11th place at the finish — ensuring Kojima still completed the event with a respectable result.
Although Kojima Engineering never returned to Formula One after 1977, the team remained active in Japanese Formula Two competition into the late 1980s. Its brief Formula One adventure nevertheless left a lasting impression: a bold, proudly independent effort that helped showcase Japanese engineering ambition during a period when the country was beginning to establish itself on the global motorsport stage.
Kojima Stats by Season
| Year | Engine | Drivers | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Ford Cosworth | Masahiro Hasemi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 11 | 0 | NC |
| 1977 | Ford Cosworth | Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Noritake Takahara | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 0 | NC |
