Initially driven by Gary Brabham, who was later replaced by Bruno Giacomelli, the car was essentially a repurposed First Racing chassis.

Tests conducted by Gabriele Tarquini, who was set to drive for First Racing in 1989, revealed that the rolling chassis was poorly constructed and that the car was unsafe.

Additionally, the car failed mandatory crash tests before the season, preventing First Racing from competing in Formula One.

[3] Divila told the First Racing management that the car was a time bomb, highlighting issues with the gearbox, suspension, chassis, and steering column, and warned potential drivers against driving the F189.

However, only Brabham drove the car, which briefly attracted sponsors (Agip, Beta, Nardi Borelli, and Albini & Fontanot).

[3] In the 1990 season, 19 teams fielded 35 cars, but the regulations allowed only 26 drivers to compete in each race, with 30 eligible for qualifying.

[29] At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Brabham's car only managed 400 meters because the mechanics, striking due to unpaid wages, did not fill the engine with oil.

[2][3] Tensions soon arose between Brabham and Vita, with the Australian driver blaming the team's lack of professionalism and resources needed to repair the car after a connecting rod broke during the Brazilian Grand Prix.

His manager, Don MacPherson, stated that Life's level of professionalism was not worthy of Formula One and that his client wanted to leave the Italian team.

Schneider debuted in Formula One in 1988 with Zakspeed and raced in the 1990 United States Grand Prix with the Arrows team.

[32] Schneider was present at the Brazilian Grand Prix, hoping a team would be interested in his services, and Vita made him an offer.

[29] However, after realizing how poor the F190 was, Schneider declined the offer and chose to compete in Group C with Kremer Racing, hoping that good performances would attract a better Formula One team.

[29] In late April and early May, Gianni Marelli left the team, and Goodyear announced its intention to stop supplying tires to Life.

[33][34] Goodyear later reversed this decision,[35] but Bernie Ecclestone, Vice President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), met with Vita and tried to dissuade him from continuing the team's participation in Formula One due to its limited financial resources and lack of competitiveness.

[36] In search of a driver, Ernesto Vita contacted Franco Scapini, but he did not receive an FIA Super Licence.

[34][35] However, Vita eventually negotiated with Bruno Giacomelli, and Wilson feared becoming a reserve driver, expressing hope that he would drive for Life if the team fielded a second car.

[37] Ultimately, Vita hired Giacomelli, a former driver for McLaren, Alfa Romeo, and Toleman in Formula One, who raced from 1977 to 1983, participating in 83 Grands Prix and scoring 14 points, one pole position, and one podium.

[39] During qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix, Giacomelli's oil and water pump belt snapped, resulting in a top speed of 104.44 km/h (Riccardo Patrese reached 313.95 km/h).

[44] Marelli was replaced by former Zakspeed technical director Peter Wyss, who, though invited by Giacomelli, officially served as an advisor to help overcome the team's difficulties.

[44] Giacomelli contacted his former employer, Leyton House (for whom he tested a car in 1989), to purchase Judd engines, while Vita held talks with Brabham and Lotus.

[45][46] At the Mexican Grand Prix, Giacomelli posted a time of 4:04.475 and a top speed almost 200 km/h slower than Satoru Nakajima, who was the fastest on the track.

[46] Barbasio also revealed that he considered fielding a second car with a Judd engine, but the team lacked the funds to do so.

[58] Due to the high costs of traveling to the final two overseas Grands Prix (Japan and Australia), Life withdrew from them, for which they received a $200,000 fine from the FIA.

[16] In 2009, it was showcased with its original engine, which had been rebuilt by Lorenzo Prandina,[59] at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it was driven by Derek Bell.