After a partnership with the small Onyx team was suggested, in early 1990 the company signed a four-year, 80-million Deutsche Mark (€72 million in 2021) deal with Footwork Arrows, to commence in 1991.

The latter had been a feature of the flat-12 Type 912 engine (also designed by Mezger) in the Porsche 917 sports car of the early 1970s, but was unusual for Formula One.

The redesigned FA12 was introduced at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, another fast circuit, but Alboreto destroyed his car during practice and was forced to use the A11C, and again both drivers failed to qualify.

However, the team had to make do with the 3512 for the North American rounds in Canada and Mexico, for which Stefan Johansson took the place of Caffi, who had sustained injuries in a road accident.

[9] Porsche formally terminated its deal with the team shortly before the Japanese Grand Prix in October,[10][11] and has not appeared in Formula One since.