During a meeting of the World Motor ...

Published on 09 October 1997 by Verstappen Info Page

During a meeting of the World Motor Sports Council of the F.I.A. several decisions were taken yesterday regarding the 1998 Formula 1 season. A provisional calender has been released which you can see on our teamoverview 1998 page. On this calender the French Grand Prix has not yet been included officially as we mentioned yesterday. However the French Minister of Sports already stated that he wants the conflict in the T.V. rights to be resolved.
Also it was announced that only three specifications of wet weather tyres can be used per weekend in 1998. A proper definition of rain tyres has been given to seperate the new grooved regular tyres from the wets next year.
Because tyrewear will increase with the new regulations (smaller tyres, more wheelspin) the teams are allowed to use four extra tyres next year which makes a total of 40 tyres per car per weekend

The maximum amount of laps in the free practice session will be dropped, the drivers can do as many laps as they want in 1998. A proposal to bring back the Friday qualifying session was rejected.
Drivers who violate the pitlane speed limit can count on heavy fines. For each km/h over the limit a sum of 250 Dollar has to be paid.

More news about the 1998 season came from Minardi and Stewart. Minardi announced that they will use the Ford V10 engine next year, just like Tyrrell. Stewart confirmed that Jan Magnussen will remain the teammate of Rubens Barrichello next year.

According to Bridgestone their customers can count on a quick tyre compound this weekend. Especially for their home race the Japanese manufacturer produced a soft compound 'Suzuka Special'. Bridgestone has a lot of experience on the Japanese track. The tyres were more or less develloped there. Bridgestone has been testing Formula 1 tyres at Suzuka from the early nineties.