The first Arrows F1 made its debut in 1978 immediately showing itself to be competitive. Already in the second race, in South Africa, Riccardo Patrese had to retire due to a breakdown when he had the race in hand. But soon a scandal broke out that led to the team's plagiarism conviction, accused of having copied at least 40% of the Shadow DN9. The four FA1s had to be broken up and Arrows continued the season with the more conventional A1.