The March F.1 designed by Andrian Newey for 1989 was a further development of the revolutionary 881 of the previous year. Unfortunately, the financial crisis of the March Group PLC greatly delayed the design work and consequently also the development of the CG891, which was rarely competitive. Gugelmin took third place in the first GP of the year with the old 881. March slipped to 12th position in the constructors' championship. 1989 was the last year of March in F1 before Akira Akagi bought the team.