Merzario's first self-built Formula One effort, the A1, appeared in 1978 and was a basically conventional car based largely on his March 761B, with a red colour scheme and crude bodywork vaguely reminiscent of a Ferrari 312T2 in its use of cockpit-side ducting for an air intake.
Primeiro Fórmula Un de construción propia de Merzario, o A1, apareceu en 1978 e era un coche basicamente convencional baseado en gran parte no seu March 761B, cunha combinación de cores vermellos e a carrocería en cru que recorda vagamente a un Ferrari 312T2 no uso dos condutos ao lado da cabina para a toma de aire.