It made its debut at the 1990 San Marino Grand Prix and continued until the first two races of 1991.

The car was powered by the Judd V8 engine and ran on Pirelli tyres.

After a promising first half of the 1989 season which saw Modena finish 3rd in Monaco, Brabham began to fall back down the grid.

The best result achieved in 1990 was a seventh place at the Canadian Grand Prix driven by Modena.

Driven by British drivers Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell, the BT59Y was used only in the first two races and then replaced by the Brabham BT60Y.