The switch to the normally aspirated Ford Cosworth DFR 3.5 engine and the change in body measurements led the Benetton team to design a completely new car for the 1988 Formula 1 season. The car was constantly overweight and in a power crisis. Despite this, the team achieved several third places with Boutsen and Nannini, finishing third in the constructors' championship. The B188 was also used in the first part of the 1989 season.