Formula One World Constructors' Championship (1998)

McLaren's dominant return to the top in 1998.

The 1998 FIA Formula One World Championship featured the 1998 Formula One World Championship for Constructors, which was contested over a sixteen-race series that commenced on 8 March and ended on 1 November. McLaren won the World Constructors' Championship for the first time since an unspecified year. McLaren would wait a further 26 years before their next constructors' title was secured in 2024.

Quick Facts

Team principal: Ron Dennis
Lead drivers: Mika Häkkinen, David Coulthard
Chassis model: MP4-13
Engine supplier: Mercedes-Benz
Wins secured: 9

Lore & Background

McLaren emerged as the fastest constructor in 1998. Mika Häkkinen won his first World Drivers' Championship and McLaren won the World Constructors' Championship. McLaren's double Drivers' and Constructors' Championship success in 1998 was the last time they won both in the same season until 2025.

Reader's Guide

The season saw significant technical changes: grooved tyres replaced slicks for the first time since an unspecified year, and the cars' track was reduced from 2000 mm to 1800 mm. Both McLaren and Benetton switched from Goodyear to Bridgestone tyres. 'X wings' were banned before the Spanish Grand Prix.