International motor racing officials are having urgent talks with the French government to try to rescue the French Grand Prix.

The race has been left off the international programme for next year, because of a row over television rights.

The French Sports Minister, Marie-George Buffet, has said there is still time to secure an agreement.

Jacques Villeneuve celebrates winning the 1997 Formula 1 championship

The International Automobile Federation, which is based in France, cancelled the race in response to a court ruling that exclusive television deals signed with major broadcasters should be opened to all French networks.

The Belgian and Spanish Grand Prix races are also being threatened by unrelated disputes.

Belgium's Grand Prix, at Spa-Francorchamps, is in jeopardy following that country's to ban tobacco advertising - a huge source of revenue for Formula 1.

The new Belgian law, which comes into effect in 1999, goes beyond plans by the 15 European Union nations to phase out tobacco ads over a 10-year period.

The Portuguese race is in doubt because FIA officials have asked for a "binding undertaking" that renovation work at Estoril will be completed in time.

Decisions will be made on the Belgian and Portuguese Grand Prixs on December 31.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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