Ecclestone denies 2004 Canadian Grand Prix has been axed

THE future of the Canadian Grand Prix remains a mystery after Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone denied claims by race organisers that the event had been axed.

Race promoter Normand Legault claimed on Thursday that he had received a letter from Ecclestone which he said confirmed Montreal would not be hosting a race in 2004, due to national anti-tobacco laws.

But Ecclestone later denied this.

He said: "I've no idea where this story came from the calendar for 2004 hasn't been put out yet or even considered."

Belgium faced a similar threat of cancellation this season, but politicians convinced the government to make a special case for Formula One and the race is back on the 2004 schedule.

But Legault has ruled out that course of action, insisting it is up to Formula One teams to take the initiative and save the Canadian Grand Prix if it is threatened.

"This letter says that Canada's Grand Prix won't show up on the Formula One world championship 2004 calendar," Legault told a news conference.

"The decision was basically made in light of the October 1 application of Canada and Quebec's anti-tobacco legislation.

"I feel that was a very reasonable position on the Canadian government's part, and I don't feel justified for us to ask the government to do more than that.

"It's not necessary for the tobacco laws to be changed to accommodate the teams. It might be for the teams to decide to comply with local legislation in the various countries they visit."

But Legault admitted a confrontation over the issue has been looming for some time, after Canada served notice of its intention to ban tobacco advertising on Formula One cars seven years ago.

Legault added: "Based on this situation, Mr Ecclestone has the legal right to call an end to the contract.

"It's nothing personal. It's a contractual matter. It's an issue he had the right to raise and we're faced with his decision on how he deals with it.

"But we feel and when I say we, I mean by extension Formula One we have already benefited from a seven-year grace period for promoting tobacco products."

Canada had been expected to form a North American double-header with Indianapolis next season and, if Ecclestone hasn't dropped Montreal, that could yet occur.