The Stewart team have done it already and Williams have done it for the next Grand Prix in Canada: lengthen the wheelbase. Ferrari will probably have a car with a lengthened wheelbase ready for the French Grand Prix - The McLaren car already had this all year.
What is said is that there will be an increase of 150 mm to 3103 mm - the space between the gearbox and engine will be increased, ensuring no extra weight is added.
Jacques Villeneuve has stated that he is looking forward to his home Grand Prix in Canada. He believes that he can get on the podium with the new car and compete with Ferrari.
This has not been a good for Prost Grand Prix until now - it was argued at the end of last year that Prost would be a top competitor. He said: "We are all going through a difficult period. However, we are ready to introduce in the upcoming races the first significant developments of the car." He also added: "In spite of the difficulties we have encountered since the start of the season, the team's motivation and ambitions are as high as ever. We do believe in our potential."
One of the reasons for the optimism last year with many people was because Prost got the Peugeot engines, who were thought to be one of the most powerful. Now the engine seems under-power and the new evolution will not be ready before the French Grand Prix.
The Canadian government is set to announce amendments to its tough anti-tobacco law, which would give organisers of the F1 race in Montreal and the CART races in Toronto and Vancouver a five year reprieve on tobacco sponsorship.
Health minister Allan Rock will give sporting and cultural events sponsored by cigarette companies until the year 2003 to find alternate sponsorship. All on-site and off-site advertising for tobacco sponsored events will continue for the next two years. Under the current law passed last year, the 10% ad restriction rule was scheduled to take effect on October 1st.
However, there is still the question of cigarette sponsorship on racing cars and driver's uniforms and helmets. Toronto Molson Indy spokesperson Mike Smith says he expects those things to be exempt indefinitely.
Provided by John Marchesan of tsn.ca