Portugal lost two high-profile motor sport events yesterday because there was no guarantee repair work on the Estoril track could be completed on time. An announcement from the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) followed a similar one from motor racing's ruling body FIA.

The Portuguese Formula One Grand Prix, set for October 11th, was dropped from the calendar following weeks of speculation about its future.

"FIM and FIA met with the Portuguese government, who are part owners of the track, to have it completely re-designed," said FIM spokesman Marc Peltier. "We each made our requests so that the changes would be compatible and meet both our standards. But it seems there have been some changes within the government and the work has not been done."

The motorcycle grand prix, set for June 14-15th, will not be replaced, reducing the world championship to 15 events. The country to replace Portugal's Formula One event will be announced soon. South Africa and China are the candidates.

The future of the Belgium's Formula One Grand Prix, which will only take place if there are guarantees that the country's tobacco advertising ban will not affect the race, still remains in doubt. FIA have given the organisers until February 15th to resolve the problem.

Meanwhile, in Italy yesterday, Michael Schumacher gave his new Ferrari a cautious welcome, but said it was still too early to gauge the car's potential as a Formula One world beater. Ferrari have been cursed with bad weather and minor technical problems while testing the car this week.

"I was almost always driving with either intermediate tyres or wets and almost never with the 1998 tyres," Schumacher said. "The feeling is good, but it's too early yet to find out the car's true potential. For that, we'll need the 1998 tyres and dry conditions."