The March 881 used the then new to Formula One Judd V8 engine, and was consistently the fastest speed trapped atmo car of the 1988 season, with Capelli clocked at a class fastest 312 km/h (194 mph) on the first straight at Hockenheim for the German Grand Prix.

Capelli and his March 881 was the only non-turbo car/driver combination in 1988 to actually lead a Grand Prix when he briefly took the lead from Alain Prost in his McLaren-Honda as they crossed the start-finish line on lap 16 of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

This was also the first time since the 1983 season that a naturally aspirated car had led a Formula One Grand Prix.

With the 1989 car, the CG891, only being completed in time for the Monaco Grand Prix, the team were forced to use the 881 for the first two races of the year, in Brazil and San Marino.

Gugelmin drove the 881 to third place at his home race in Brazil, close behind the Ferrari of Nigel Mansell and the McLaren-Honda of Prost.