This was also the first Faenza-based Formula One car to utilize Pirelli tyres since the Minardi M190 in 1990.

In 2011, the car was driven by Sébastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, with test driver Daniel Ricciardo being guaranteed the opportunity to drive the car in the first practice session of a race weekend at all twenty races in the season (Ricciardo was signed by Hispania Racing as a replacement for Narain Karthikeyan from Round 9 of the championship in Great Britain).

[2] The car was unveiled on 1 February at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.

Alguersuari recorded the cars highest qualifying position with 6th at the Belgian Grand Prix and he also recorded the cars best finish with a pair of 7th places at the Italian and Korean Grands Prix.

Buemi and Alguersuari combined to score 41 points in 2011 giving the team 8th in the Constructors Championship.