Leaving the team at the end of the 1988 season, Giampaolo Pavanello still allowed Walter Brun to use Euroracing’s Milan-based workshops as a support base where, according to the Swiss manager’s plans, the new single-seater intended for the 1989 Formula 1 World Championship season, the EuroBrun ER189, was to be developed.
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| EUROBRUN ER189, Gregor Foitek Hungaroring, Hungarian GP 1989 |
Unfortunately, as is often the case in Formula 1 for very small teams, reality told a different story. Due to lack of funds, the 1988 car was simply updated to a "B" version at the team's base in Senago, a small town just outside Milan. This work was carried out by the original designers, Mario Tolentino and Bruno Zava. The ER188B was modified to accommodate the more affordable but also older V8 Judd CV engine, which replaced the original V8 Ford-Cosworth DFZ in 1989. Additionally, the suspension geometry was altered to better suit the Pirelli tires now fitted to the Italian-Swiss car, replacing the previous season’s Goodyears.
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| EUROBRUN ER188B, Gregor Foitek Jacarepaguà, Brazilian GP 1989 |
For the new season, EuroBrun had the financial means to enter only one car in the World Championship, which was entrusted to young Swiss rookie Gregor Foitek, who came from Formula 3000. With him, the team tackled the first eight races of the 1989 season, but only managed eight eliminations during Friday morning pre-qualifying sessions.
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| EUROBRUN ER188B, Gregor Foitek Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1989 |
Meanwhile, the other "parallel" group, Brun Technics, operating out of Bicester, England, under the direction of George Ryton and supported by engineer Roberto Ori, was developing the new ER189. This effort was buoyed by the arrival of new sponsor Jägermeister, which not only gave the car its bright orange color but, more importantly, brought fresh funds into the team’s coffers, enabling them to complete the new single-seater.
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| EUROBRUN ER189, Oscar Larrauri Jerez, Spanish GP 1989 |
The ER189 was clearly a step forward, particularly in terms of aerodynamics, with a sleeker and lower-profile design. However, the engine’s lack of power and the division of limited resources between the Italian headquarters and the English facility prevented Walter Brun’s team from making any real progress. Not even a driver change, bringing back trusted Argentine driver Oscar Larrauri, made a difference. The end of the season turned out to be a mere repetition of the first half, with another eight pre-qualifying eliminations.
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