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.
In 1998, the Ford Escort competed in its last full season before being replaced by the Ford Focus WRC in 1999. The season ended with a dramatic turn of events when Carlos Sainz's Corolla WRC suffered mechanical failure near the finish line at Margam, costing him fourth place and handing the championship to Mäkinen.