Bridgestone has invited all teams to try ...

Published on 17 October 1998 by Verstappen Info Page

Bridgestone has invited all teams to try out the new 1999 spec tyres on the circuit of Suzuka in Japan after the last Grand Prix. An extra groove has been introduced to front tyres and the number of tyres available to teams over a Grand Prix weekend has been reduced from 40 to 32. According to another new regulation the FIA will determine tyre specifications for the following year no later than September 1, after which the specification may only be changed with the agreement of the Formula 1 commission. The tyre test is arranged in co-operation with the FIA. Main goal of the test is to gather as much data as possible on performance and wear.

Other rule changes include that no more than 24 cars will be admitted to the championship. Stop and Go penalties are set to 10 seconds. If a penalty is given in the last five rounds of the race then 25 seconds will be added to the race time instead. The height of the roll hoops above the driver's head are increased from 50 to 70mm and a pressure relief valve that is introduced into all cooling systems and engine oil breathers will now vent into air intakes.

In addition a number of new safety measures is introduced: Cables that will hold wheels in place in the event of an accident. Driver's seats will become removable with the driver still in them, a device to put cars into neutral will be located in the same place in every car and the speed of nose impact tests has been increased from 12m/s to 13m/s.