Bridgestone's commitment to the FIA World Championship was emphasised in Tokyo on October 26, when the company's president, Mr Koichiro Kaisaki, welcomed around 350 Japanese and international media representatives to a press conference held at the New Otani Hotel.

During the event, journalists had the opportunity to meet F1 drivers Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard of McLaren, Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz of Benetton, and Shinji Nakano of Minardi.

"Last year was our first full season of F1 competition," noted Mr Kaisaki, "and this year our drivers have already posted eight victories on Bridgestone tyres. We have achieved results beyond our wildest expectations."

Mr Kaisaki indicated his pleasure at seeing so many journalists present at the function, which attracted media preparing for the deciding race in the 1998 FIA Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships, to be held at the Suzuka circuit on November 1.