SEPTEMBER 15, 1997

Portugal on for 1998

FIA President Max Mosley met the Portuguese Minister of the Economy last week in Lisbon and confirmed that there is no longer any reason why Estoril should be excluded from the 1998 Formula 1 World Championship. The FIA had demanded that safety work be done at the circuit but the company which owned the track refused to finance the modifications. This led to the takeover of the track by the Portuguese government but assurances that everything would be finished in time for the 1997 Portuguese Grand Prix came too late and the race was canceled.

The work has now been completed and the final details of a long-term contract are being discussed between the Portuguese government and Formula One Holdings, which looks after all commercial matters relating to the World Championship, on behalf of the FIA.