The team were moderately successful in the middle of the field through the late 1980s and early 1990s . Minardi gave a number of Italian drivers their first chance at the top level , including Alessandro Nannini , Pierluigi Martini and Gianni Morbidelli . The team were moderately successful in the midfield through the late 1980s and early 1990s , giving a succession of Italian drivers their first chance at the top level , including Alessandro Nannini , Pierluigi Martini and Gianni Morbidelli .