Scuderia Italia ran a single entry through 1988 for Italian Alex Caffi. The F188 was not quite ready to start the season and a F3000 chassis, the Dallara 3087, was used for the opening race in Brazil. Caffi debuted the F188 at San Marino where he qualified in 24th but retired from the race itself. He put in a creditable performance throughout the year and qualified for all but one race with the F188, with a best of 10th in Hungary. No points finishes were scored, but Caffi did manage a best placing of seventh, at the Portuguese Grand Prix.