The season would turn out to be easy for Michael Schumacher, who took nine victories and his fourth world championship—scoring a then-record 123 points. He also surpassed Alain Prost's record for most Grand Prix wins during the year. He failed to finish only twice, but his teammate Rubens Barrichello had bad luck and looked poised to take wins himself, being hindered only by unreliability. All the while, Ferrari won its third straight Constructors' Championship.

Ferrari used 'Marlboro' logos, except at the French, British, Italian and United States Grands Prix.