Nürburgring bids to overturn EU tobacco ban

German track owner Nürburgring AG is planning legal action against the European Union ban on tobacco advertising set for 2005, reports German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. "We are suing for this ruling to be declared invalid, on the basis that it has a major negative influence on our business," said MD Walter Kafitz. "We think that it isn't the EU's business who is involved as sponsors when F1 is racing in Germany. We are only talking about one year..."

Jun 12, 2003, 1:27 PM

The EU will introduce a ban on tobacco advertising throughout its region in 2005, one year ahead of the date recommended by the World Health Organisation and adopted by the FIA for motorsport. Kafitz added: "This ban would mean that Europe might lose further races to foreign countries, while F1 itself had agreed to stop tobacco sponsorship in 2006."

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