The new regulations
The new regulations
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Thursday October 15th, 1998

The FIA has announced that the front tyres will have an extra (fourth) groove next year. The front tyres may not be more than 270 mm in width. The FIA also decided that they will determine the tyre specifications for the following season no later than September 1st of each year. Once determined, the tyre specification may only be changed with the agreement of the Formula One Commission. However, it is still not clear whether the FIA will decide on when new tyre manufacturers may enter F1 and how much time in advance they may announce their leave.

The World Council, who met today in Paris, have also decided on several other regulations:

  • Competitors - No more than 24 cars will be admitted to the Championship.

  • Time penalties - The time penalty for a stop-go is set at 10 seconds. Should the penalty be imposed during the last five laps of a race, 25 seconds will be added to the race time of the driver concerned instead of a stop-go. Furthermore, as soon as an incident is under investigation by the Stewards, a message will be displayed on the timing monitors.

  • Tyres - A driver may not use more than 32 (previously 40) dry-weather tyres throughout the entire duration of the event.

  • 1999 Technical Regulations - The minimum height of the main roll hoop above the driver's head has been increased from 50 to 70 mm. The engine oil breather will no longer vent to the atmosphere but into the air intake. For safety reasons, a pressure relief valve will be included in the cooling system of every car. In order to allow prompt and efficient intervention by marshals when a car stops beside the track, the device for putting the car into neutral will be fitted in the same place on all cars. Cables will be fitted to prevent wheels becoming separated from a car in an accident. The driver's seat will be removable with the driver in it. The speed of the nose impact test has been increased by 1m/s to 13m/s. This will be increased again in 2000 to 14 m/s. A new fuel regulation will result in much cleaner fuel. Sulphur and benzene levels have been significantly reduced .

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