Damon Hill's first contact with a Jordan-Mugen Honda will not take place until the New Year as the 1996 World Champion is under contract to Arrows until the end of the year. As far as its immediate schedule is concerned, the team has yet to nominate its driver for the test beginning on December 2 at Barcelona. The team expects to run an interim car at this test. Ralf Schumacher will probably serve in the army in December. (source FIA)
The suspended bans, which have caused some commotion this year, will no longer be given next season. This was agreed between the FIA and the teams in London (England) today. For example: If you do something illegal during training you will have to start from the last row on the grid, or if you behave in an unsportsmanlike manner during the race you will get a 10 seconds stop and go penalty.
There will be no new teams in 1998. All current teams will stay in the same form as this year, this was announced by the teams. BAT will announce their plans on December 2, but if they are going to enter, this will only be in 1999.