It was announced at a meeting of the FIA in Monaco today, that the 1998 FIA Formula One World Championship would not contain the French Grand Prix.

A long running dispute about TV rights was not rectified and the FIA and the government could not reach an agreement over the issue.

At the same meeting it was also revealed that Estoril and Spa-Francorchamps races would have to wait until the 31st December to find out if their races will be dropped. The former is at risk because required renovations have not been completed and the latter because the Belgian government has banned tobacco advertising.

The Chinese circuit of Zuhai and the South African circuit of Kyalami are on the standby list to replace either of these 2 tracks if they are removed from the calendar.

The FIA also announced that there would be no further races at the Jerez circuit in Spain. "The podium ceremony was disrupted by the mayor of Jerez and local government officials," FIA said. "This disruption caused embarrassment and inconvenience to those presenting the trophies. Therefore, no further rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship will be held at the Jerez circuit."