The car was powered by the Cosworth DFR V8 engine and ran on Pirelli tyres.

The Minardi M190 was the last Faenza-based Formula One car to run on Pirelli tyres until Toro Rosso STR6 in 2011.

Minardi had used the M189 for the first two races of the season but without finishing in the points, before the M190 debuted in the third race of the season, the San Marino Grand Prix, driven by Italians Pierluigi Martini and Paolo Barilla.

Martini failed to start the race after an accident in practice while Barilla qualified 26th on the grid.

The departure of Luis Pérez-Sala also meant Lois left as the main sponsor, after three seasons, being replaced by Italian woodwoorking company SCM Group.