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F1 to bar tobacco sponsorship after 2006 season
Paris, June 26: Formula One authorities yesterday said they planned to bar tobacco sponsorship after the 2006 world championship season.
Paris, June 26: Formula One authorities yesterday said they planned to bar tobacco sponsorship after the 2006 world championship season.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) have been haggling with the European Commission for 10 years on plans to outlaw tobacco advertising.
The EU wants tobacco advertising banned from 2006 but the FIA world motor sport council yesterday proposed that promoters, circuit owners, event organisers, teams and drivers should cease all forms of tobacco sponsorship from October 1, 2006, when the season finishes. FIA president Max Mosley said in March a ban from the end of the 2005 season could result in there being only a handful of F1 grand prix in Europe in future.
He said Formula One teams had contracts to 2006 and an EU ban from 2005 would force teams to limit the number of European grand prix they raced in.
Mosley has said there might be only six races in the EU by 2005. The Belgian grand prix has been dropped this year and Austria will follow suit next year.
China and Bahrain are scheduled to come in for 2004 with future races possible in Turkey and Russia.
India, Egypt, Mexico and another race in the United States are also being discussed as possible venues.
The FIA believes an EU ban is a waste of time, because tobacco advertising would be beamed into Europe on television from the races where tobacco advertising is allowed.
Bureau Report
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) have been haggling with the European Commission for 10 years on plans to outlaw tobacco advertising.
The EU wants tobacco advertising banned from 2006 but the FIA world motor sport council yesterday proposed that promoters, circuit owners, event organisers, teams and drivers should cease all forms of tobacco sponsorship from October 1, 2006, when the season finishes. FIA president Max Mosley said in March a ban from the end of the 2005 season could result in there being only a handful of F1 grand prix in Europe in future.
He said Formula One teams had contracts to 2006 and an EU ban from 2005 would force teams to limit the number of European grand prix they raced in.
Mosley has said there might be only six races in the EU by 2005. The Belgian grand prix has been dropped this year and Austria will follow suit next year.
China and Bahrain are scheduled to come in for 2004 with future races possible in Turkey and Russia.
India, Egypt, Mexico and another race in the United States are also being discussed as possible venues.
The FIA believes an EU ban is a waste of time, because tobacco advertising would be beamed into Europe on television from the races where tobacco advertising is allowed.
Bureau Report