Nannini was consistently better performed than both the car and the overweight, underpowered (800 bhp (597 kW; 811 PS)) Motori Moderni V6 turbo.

His performances were such that he was signed to the Benetton team with their naturally aspirated factory Ford V8 engines for 1988.

The chain smoking Italian did not score any points for the season but most agreed that was more the car than driver and his performances for Benetton from 1988 to 1990 would back this up.

The Spaniard was disqualified in the opening race in Brazil for passing cars to take his grid position after stalling at the start of the warm-up lap.

The team's replacement car for 1988, the Minardi M188, would use the naturally aspirated customer Ford-Cosworth DFZ V8 engine.