New regulations introduced

(16-Oct-98) - The World Motorsports Council have revealed a number of
changes to Formula 1's Sporting and Technical Regulations for the '99
season.

The main difference will be in the use of tyres. As expected, 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.

In order to avoid the confusion faced by teams and tyre manufacturers this
year, a new regulation states that 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.

No more than 24 cars will be admitted to the championship. Stop-Go time
penalties have been set at ten seconds, however, should the penalty be
introduced in the last five laps of a race then 25 seconds will be added to
the race time of the driver concerned instead of a stop-go. This clears up
the problems faced by Michael Schumacher at the British Grand Prix.

New technical regulations will see the height of roll hoops increased from
50 to 70mm above the driver's head, the introduction of a pressure relief
valve into all cooling systems and engine oil breathers will now vent into
air intakes.

New measures aimed at safety include the expected introduction of cables to
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.

New fuel regulations will also mean cleaner fuel. Sulphur and benzene
levels have been 'significantly reduced.'

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