There were no changes in the driver line-up, but the Footwork team had decided to abandon the disastrous Porsche V12 engine project in favour of a return to Ford engines, while Ferrari introduced a new car, the 643.
Non houbo cambios na aliñación de pilotos, pero o equipo de Footwork decidiu abandonar o desastroso proxecto do motor V12 de Porsche en favor do regreso aos motores Ford, mentres que Ferrari presentou un novo automóbil, o 643.