The Japanese tyre manufacturer, Bridgestone, are working on a new tyre for the closing Grand Prix of the season, at Suzuka, in 5 weeks. The Bridgestone intermediate tyres are considered to be the manufacturer's weakest type, and since Japan is prone to rain in November, concern in the McLaren was voiced that tyres and weather would hazard Mika Hakkinen's high chances of grabbing the World Championship title this year.

Hirohide Hamashima, Technical Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, commented on this saying: "The next month is now going to be very important because it is the results of the development we will be doing here in Europe which will affect the outcome of the championship at Suzuka. The weather in Japan at the beginning of November is likely to be very similar to what we have seen here this weekend in Germany. This means we must prepare a special tyre, based on the results of our testing at circuits here, including Silverstone and Barcelona."