This year also marked the Ford Escort's last full-season works outing before being replaced by the Ford Focus WRC in 1999. The season ended in dramatic fashion when Carlos Sainz's Corolla WRC stopped approximately 300 metres from the finishing line in the final stage at Margam due to mechanical failure, thus surrendering his fourth place on the rally and handing the title to Mäkinen.
This year also marked the end of the Ford Escort's participation in full-season rallies before being replaced by the Ford Focus WRC in 1999. The season concluded with a dramatic finish when Carlos Sainz's Corolla WRC experienced mechanical failure near the finish line at Margam, resulting in him losing fourth place and handing the championship to Mäkinen.