1998 confirmed Sauber's position as a respectable midfield runner unable to make the final breakthrough needed to become a top team.

The highlight of the year was Alesi's run to third at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix to score the team's fourth podium since their F1 début in 1993.

The team eventually finished sixth in the Constructors' Championship with ten points.

This was their best WCC position so far despite scoring the lowest amount of points up until then, but there was still some way to go to take on the likes of Ferrari and McLaren.

For the first few races, X-wings were used, but they were banned after the San Marino Grand Prix.