The GD-01 was designed and built by a collaboration of DAMS and Reynard engineers from 1994 to 1995, and was intended to establish the team—which had achieved considerable success in lower categories—in Formula One (F1), the premier Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)-sanctioned level of racing.

The team quickly became a competitive force in International Formula 3000, the level of motorsport immediately below F1, winning the 1990, 1993 and 1994 drivers' championships with Érik Comas, Olivier Panis and Jean-Christophe Boullion respectively.

The company had also provided data which assisted with the construction of the Benetton B192 and Ligier JS37 F1 cars, and had also built its own chassis, which ultimately became the Pacific PR01 after Reynard's plan to operate its own team fell through.

In addition, changes to the sport's technical regulations—as a result of the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix—further hindered progress.

[4][5] The chassis featured a triple bulkhead monocoque made of a composite of carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb, which was manufactured by the Lille-based SNPE company.

[6] The GD-01 was powered by a Ford Cosworth ED V8 engine—a new unit for the three-litre era of F1 that began in 1995—which was a standard contemporary choice for smaller teams due to its low cost and ease of installation.

[7][8] It proved to be off the pace due to its cautious bodywork and aerodynamic design, indicating that it would need a thorough development programme in order for it to compete effectively in F1, particularly with the introduction of the 107% rule—which prevented drivers who were too slow in relation to the pole position time from qualifying—for the 1996 season.