Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Tobacco Ban Could Threaten European Races

The future of Formula One Grands Prix in Europe could be threatened on Friday when the sport's governing body examines recent European anti-tobacco legislation.

The future of Formula One Grands Prix in Europe could be threatened on Friday when the sport's governing body examines recent European anti-tobacco legislation.

Formula One sources said the tobacco issue, rather than technical changes or testing, was set to dominate the International Automobile Federation (FIA)'s World Council meeting in Monaco.

The FIA, which is working towards a global ban on tobacco sponsorship from late 2006, is expected to examine in detail the European Commission's outlawing of cigarette advertising in a wide range of media from mid-2005.

A statement is due to be issued after the meeting and it could be hard-hitting.

One source, who did not want to be identified, suggested that the Commission's action had put Formula One's rulers in a difficult position and "the implications for F1 events in Europe could be potentially very serious".

The concern appears to be real, given the cancellation of next year's Belgian Grand Prix - on World Champion Michael Schumacher's favourite circuit - as a result of a local ban on tobacco advertising.

As former champion Jackie Stewart said, fearing for Britain's Silverstone round after Spa was axed: "If one of the most historical events can be taken away then it is a warning for everyone else."

Strong Pressure

The European Union (EU) is home to nine of the 10 teams - Sauber are based in Switzerland - and hosts half of the 16 races on next year's calendar. Another two European races are held in Monaco and Hungary, outside the EU.

There is strong pressure on Formula One organisers from further afield for the Championship to become more global.

New races in China and Bahrain are already scheduled for 2004, with Turkey a strong candidate for 2005 and other important tobacco markets beyond the reach of European legislation - Russia is one - chasing slots.

At least one European race is set to be dropped anyway in 2004 to accommodate the new arrivals.

Half the teams on the grid have major tobacco sponsors, including champions Ferrari, McLaren and Renault, and the FIA has estimated that the industry contributes some $350 million a year to Formula One and world rallying.

Britain's weekly Autosport magazine suggested today that the FIA could even decide to abandon its push for a world ban on tobacco sponsorship from 2006, although sources inside the world body told Reuters that was unlikely.

It said that there would be mounting pressure on teams and organisers to replace European races with Grands Prix on other continents.

"There would be an incentive to reduce races inside the EU and, if that happens, there is bound to be a five-year contract with those new events," an F1 source told Autosport.

"If that happens teams may say 'Why not prolong the contract?' That would allow tobacco companies to pump their product into the EU long after 2006 on the back of EU countries losing races."

Some Formula One teams, including the tobacco sponsored Jordan, are in desperate need of money amid a tough global economy and escalating costs of competing.

Renault have an additional problem with their team sponsored by Japan Tobacco's Mild Seven cigarette brand.

A European Court of Justice ruling this week outlawed the marketing of tobacco as 'mild' or 'light', a move that means the Mild Seven brand will be banned in Europe from next October.

"It effectively seems to prevent us from marketing Mild Seven as a global brand," Japan Tobacco's public relations vice-president Guy Cote said in a statement.

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Schumacher Expecting Tougher 2003
Next article Jerez day 1: Alonso sets early pace

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe