DECEMBER 14, 1998

China off - Argentina on?

THE FIA World Council met last week in Monte Carlo and published the latest version of the 1999ÊFormulaÊ1ÊWorldÊChampionshipÊcalendar. It features 16 races with the possibility of two others in Argentina and China. The planned Chinese Grand Prix at Zhuhai, which had been scheduled to take place on March 21, has been pushed into reserve.

The governing body explained that: "due to the problems experienced by the organizers of the Chinese Grand Prix, the World Motor Sport Council has decided not to run the event on the date planned. There remains the possibility that the FIA can secure an agreement with the teams to run an additional race. In this case, the Chinese Grand Prix could be held in the autumn of 1999. It will definitely be held in the calendar for 2000."

China is likely to be replaced by the Argentine Grand Prix on March 28 although the race in Buenos Aires remains a reserve until Bernie Ecclestone reaches agreement with the Argentine race organizers. That should happen within a matter ofÊdays.

Ecclestone previously met with Argentina's President Carlos Menem and the two agreed a deal to save the race. It is now a question of sorting out the details.