Motor Sport: Imola's hopes of hosting a San Marino Grand Prix next year faded today when Formula One's governing body approved an updated calendar without mentioning the Italian circuit.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said its world motor sport council had confirmed a 17-race calendar after meeting in Barcelona, leaving the future of the San Marino Grand Prix firmly in doubt.
Just a month ago an 18-race schedule was formally agreed between world governing body, the FIA, and the teams.
But following a meeting of the WMSC in Barcelona today, they have ratified the provisional calendar put in place by the FIA at the end of August.
In a footnote to the calendar, the WMSC stated: "It was noted that no agreement was in place for an 18th race and there will continue to be 17 races in the 2007 calendar."
It means at present there is a lengthy four-week gap between the races in Bahrain and Spain on April 15th and May 13th respectively.
The Imola circuit is due to undergo a radical revamp to bring it into line with modern-day tracks, with the changes demanded by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
As yet there remains no commercial agreement in place between the San Marino Grand Prix organisers and Ecclestone, yet the break in the calendar remains opento accommodate the event.