Schumacher hopes for Melbourne solution

That is the view of former World Champion Michael Schumacher, who hopes that problems with cigarette sponsorship will not result in the event being dropped from the F1 calendar.

The future of the Melbourne event has been thrown into doubt due to a clause in the race's contract that is supposed to guarantee tobacco advertising. A government exemption for the event runs out after this year's race, meaning Australian GP organisers may have to find millions of pounds of compensation.

That has sparked fears for the future of the race - with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone saying that he was 'worried' about the situation.

"We've always relied on the fact that in Australia we can run with tobacco branding, but I understand now that there may be some problems with that," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"If there's something in the contract that refers to tobacco advertising, obviously it's something to be worried about. We've got a contract with Australia and we'll have a look and see exactly what's what."

Schumacher, who has won four times in Melbourne, said on Wednesday that he hoped a solution could be found.

"It is a very difficult issue," said Schumacher. "We do host grands prix without cigarette advertising, so I don't know what Mr. Ecclestone's plans are.

"If he doesn't want to host grands prix in non-tobacco places then we must find a solution somehow, because it would be a big loss to us.

"It has always been a big excitement here. The crowd is great, and the whole week here is such a big event for everybody. We like seeing people enjoying what we do."