OCTOBER 19, 1998
The Formula 1 calendar
THE FIA World Motor Sport Council met in Paris last week and announced a provisional Formula 1 calendar for 1999.
The races in San Marino and Hungary have to solve problems before they get firm dates while the short-lived LuxembourgÊGrand Prix is no more, although there will be a European GP at the Nurburgring instead.
It is not clear why the races in China and Malaysia are provisional but we understand that China still has to sort out problems relating to tobacco sponsorship. Giving the Chinese a provisional date puts pressure on them to sort out the problem and at the same time puts pressure on Argentina to solve its financial difficulties. On Friday last week the organizers of the Buenos Aires race announced that they had given up because of the economic crisis but anotherÊgroup of promoters is now workingÊwithÊBernieÊEcclestone's FormulaÊOneÊAdministration to try to solveÊthe problem.
Malaysia is provisional because of the economic problems and serious unrest in the country. Last week police used water cannons and tear gas to break up a demonstration outside the National Palace calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and for the release of jailed finance minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Hungary will not get a firm date until the organizers come up with a plan to stop another track invasion while the SanÊMarinoÊGP at Imola is in difficulties because of the failure of Italian politicians to vote through changes to the law.
Provisional Formula 1 calendar for 1999:
March 7 Australia
March 21 China
April 11 Brazil
May 2 Imola
May 16 Monaco
May 30 Spain
June 13 Canada
June 27 France
July 11 Britain
July 25 Austria
August 1 Germany
August 15 Hungary
August 29 Belgium
September 12 Italy
September 26 Europe
October 17 Malaysia
October 31 Japan