Belgian GP Could be Dropped, Says Ecclestone

The Belgian Grand Prix could be axed from the 2003 calendar if the government imposes a national ban on tobacco advertising, according to Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

"We will not necessarily hold a Belgian GP in 2003," Autosport magazine quoted Ecclestone as saying in its latest edition published on Thursday. "It is not out of the question, despite the track usually being included on the calendar.

"Belgium must adopt the same stance as the rest of Europe, where tobacco advertisement is permitted until 2006. We cannot make exceptions for certain organisers."

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has said it wants to ban all tobacco sponsorship by the end of the 2006 season. The Belgian race's future has been threatened before, notably in 1999 when the government threatened legal action against any teams running with tobacco advertising.

Race organisers and the teams were left in a dilemma because the national law against cigarette advertising conflicted with a decree issued by the Walloon region, where Spa-Francorchamps is based, exempting the Grand Prix. In 1997, Ecclestone also threatened to axe the race when Belgium's parliament first approved a law, tougher than European Union legislation, against tobacco advertising.

Russia, with a new circuit being built near Moscow, is expected to seek a place on the 2003 race calendar with another European Grand Prix being dropped to make way.