1998 confirmed Sauber's position as a respectable midfield runner with a package that was quick and reliable, but not quite enough to regularly score points. Alesi and Herbert finished just outside the points, in seventh, no less than five times. 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 debut in 1993. This capped an encouraging season for the Frenchman. Herbert however, despite a points finish in the first race of the season, decided to move to Stewart for 1999, and would be replaced by Pedro Diniz. The team eventually finished sixth in the Constructors' Championship with ten points. This was their best WCC position this far.

It was with this car that the last rounded-shape steering wheel in Formula 1 was used. All steering wheels have been rectangular since then.

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