Using the 101 as its basis Frank Dernie incorporated the 640 bhp (477 kW; 649 PS) Lamborghini V12 engine that had been used by the Larrousse Lola team during 1989.

The engine's size meant it had to be located lower in the chassis, which also had to be designed to its widest permitted dimensions in order to incorporate larger fuel tanks.

Former boss Peter Warr had been close to negotiating large sponsorship deals with Coca-Cola and Castrol fuels for 1990, but the fallout from the DeLorean scandal nixed those plans, leaving the team underfunded.

Derek Warwick disliked the car, feeling the engine was poor and the monocoque was unsafe stating: I didn't like to drive it.

During the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, Donnelly had a horrific crash during Friday practice when he left the circuit in the fast right hand turn behind the pits and the car hit the barriers at speed.

[7] After Donnelly's career ending crash at Jerez, he was replaced for the final two races in Japan and Australia by British driver Johnny Herbert.

Martin Donnelly stated that he was due to be kept on for 1991 as lead driver, but the injuries he sustained in his accident at Jerez the previous year put paid to that.

Future world champion Mika Häkkinen and Julian Bailey filled the seats vacated by a frustrated Derek Warwick and injured Donnelly.

[10] Bailey's failure to qualify for the Monaco Grand Prix prompted his departure and replacement with test driver Johnny Herbert for the remainder of the season.

Due to Herbert's Japanese Formula 3000 commitments the German driver Michael Bartels raced in his absence but failed to qualify.