Häkkinen remained at McLaren for 1998, partnered by Coulthard.
Häkkinen was confident going about the challenge for the World Championship into the season, citing the involvement of technical director Adrian Newey.
The season started off with controversy in Australia when teammate Coulthard let Häkkinen past to win the race.
Häkkinen had earlier been called into the pit lane by an engineer by mistake.
Coulthard later revealed a pre-race agreement by the team that whoever led into the first corner on the first lap would be allowed to win the race.
Despite this, Häkkinen took back-to-back victories by winning the next race in Brazil.
He maintained his good form at the Argentine Grand Prix where he finished second, although he retired from the San Marino Grand Prix when his car's gearbox failed.
However, Häkkinen managed consecutive victories in the next two rounds, which was followed by a retirement from the race in Canada as his car suffered another gearbox failure.

Häkkinen followed this up by taking consecutive podiums in the next two rounds—third in France and second in Britain.
He managed further consecutive victories in the next two rounds, and followed this up with a sixth-place finish in Hungary.
In August, it was announced that Häkkinen and Coulthard would be retained for 1999.
Häkkinen retired from the following race held in Belgium when Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher collided with the Finn and was also hit by Sauber driver Johnny Herbert.
He later managed a fourth position in Italy despite suffering from brake problems resulting from a spin.
Häkkinen finished the season by taking victory in the final two rounds at the Luxembourg Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix, which ensured he took enough points to clinch the 1998 World Championship, with 100 points, ahead of nearest rival Schumacher.
Häkkinen was awarded the Autosport International Racing Driver Award for 1998.
He was also named the Finnish Sports Personality of the Year by journalists.
The Finnish Post Office issued stamps to commemorate Häkkinen's World Championship in January 1999.
Häkkinen remained at McLaren for 1998, partnered by Coulthard. Häkkinen was confident going about the challenge for the World Championship into the season, citing the involvement of technical director Adrian Newey. The season started off with controversy in Australia when teammate Coulthard let Häkkinen past to win the race. Häkkinen had earlier been called into the pit lane by an engineer by mistake. Coulthard later revealed a pre-race agreement by the team that whoever led into the first corner on the first lap would be allowed to win the race. Despite this, Häkkinen took back-to-back victories by winning the next race in Brazil. He maintained his good form at the Argentine Grand Prix where he finished second, although he retired from the San Marino Grand Prix when his car's gearbox failed. However, Häkkinen managed consecutive victories in the next two rounds, which was followed by a retirement from the race in Canada as his car suffered another gearbox failure.
Häkkinen followed this up by taking consecutive podiums in the next two rounds—third in France and second in Britain. He managed further consecutive victories in the next two rounds, and followed this up with a sixth-place finish in Hungary. In August, it was announced that Häkkinen and Coulthard would be retained for 1999. Häkkinen retired from the following race held in Belgium when Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher collided with the Finn and was also hit by Sauber driver Johnny Herbert. He later managed a fourth position in Italy despite suffering from brake problems resulting from a spin. Häkkinen finished the season by taking victory in the final two rounds at the Luxembourg Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix, which ensured he took enough points to clinch the 1998 World Championship, with 100 points, ahead of nearest rival Schumacher. Häkkinen was awarded the Autosport International Racing Driver Award for 1998. He was also named the Finnish Sports Personality of the Year by journalists. The Finnish Post Office issued stamps to commemorate Häkkinen's World Championship in January 1999.
Mika Häkkinen