For 1998, Villeneuve's Williams team had to fare with less competitive Mecachrome engines, and Villeneuve moved to the newly formed British American Racing team in 1999.
Para 1998, o equipo Williams de Villeneuve tivo que competir cos motores Mecachrome (motores menos competitivos), e Villeneuve fichou polo recentemente formado equipo British American Racing para a tempada de Fórmula Un de 1999.