It was an unreliable car and only finished three races and did not score any points for the team.

The first M185 chassis was modified to accept a Ford Cosworth DFY through the use of a spacer between the engine and gearbox.

[3] The team only raced a single entry throughout 1985, which was driven by the young Italian, Pierluigi Martini.

[2] Martini left the team, and in his place the experienced Andrea de Cesaris was hired.

For the first nine races of the year, de Cesaris drove the M185B before switching to the team's new car, the Minardi M186, from Hungary.

[1] The M185 featured a black and yellow livery with prominent sponsorship from Italian companies Simod and Gilmar.