Spain Confirmed to 2011, Subject to Tobacco Laws

Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone announced on Saturday that the Spanish Grand Prix will continue until 2011 - then immediately threatened its place on the Grand Prix calendar in 2005.

The Circuit de Catalunya has hosted a race since 1991 and the new contract will ensure it will escape competition for a place on the calendar with a list of new countries that are pressing to get on the Formula One map.

But Ecclestone warned that the race could be dropped in 2005 if a ban on tobacco advertising in the European Union is brought in as planned, ahead of the agreed global ban in 2006.

"I am very pleased to renew the contract until 2011," said Ecclestone. "But this is subject to legislation on tobacco advertising. We hope we can sort that out because we don't want to move out of Europe, especially not Barcelona."

This season, the sport has brought in new races in Bahrain and China while the Turkish Grand Prix is due to be introduced next season and India are also discussing the possibility of hosting a race.

The calendar includes nine races in the EU but will fall to eight next season if San Marino is dropped as expected. And Ecclestone believes those countries who want to hold Grands Prix will have to seek exemption from the ban.

"Here they have three great important motorcycle events and Formula One," said Ecclestone. "If they just said there should be an exemption for 15 days a year for just inside the circuit.

"Only 100,000 people or so are going to be exposed, and they are exposed to it on television anyhow. It seems a little silly that is all. But it is up to the governments in each country.

"We have always said that if tobacco advertising is so powerful we should put up another sign just as large saying 'if you smoke you'll die' because if that is just as powerful people would stop smoking."