The car, powered by a 12-cylinder Alfa Romeo engine, competed in the 1979 Formula One season.

The BT48 made its debut at the 1979 Argentine Grand Prix with Niki Lauda driving.

Lauda qualified the BT46 in 23rd place but drove the BT48 in the race when he retired with fuel system failure.

[4] At the South African Grand Prix, Lauda qualified fourth and Piquet 12th.

[5] At the United States Grand Prix West, Lauda qualified 11th and Piquet 12th, The Austrian retired when Patrick Tambay's McLaren hit him and the Brazilian finished eighth.

[6] At the Spanish Grand Prix Lauda qualified sixth and Piquet seventh.

[11] At Germany, Piquet qualified fourth and Lauda seventh, but both retired with engine failure.