Ecclestone calls for relaxation on tobacco rules

Bernie Ecclestone has hinted he will stop Formula One’s current drift away from Europe if problems with tobacco sponsorship can be overcome.

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone has regularly been threatened with the axe by Formula One supremo Ecclestone, who has in the past predicted Europe is on the road to becoming “third world”.

However, he today announced a new seven-year contract to keep the Spanish Grand Prix on the calendar, subject to tobacco companies still being allowed to advertise at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

Ecclestone feels Formula One will not need to move away from its heartland if a planned European Union ban on cigarette advertising, which is due next year, can make an exception for the sport.

He told a news conference at the Spanish Grand Prix: “I hope we can get that all sorted out in Europe so we don’t have to keep disappearing out of Europe.

“It’s a pity that each country can’t make its own decision on the tobacco advertising.

“If tobacco advertising is so powerful and it makes people start smoking when they see a sign, we should put up another sign just as big saying if you smoke you’ll die.”

Half of the Formula One grid – including major players such as Renault, Ferrari and McLaren – are backed by tobacco money and Ecclestone has introduced races as far afield as China and Bahrain this season largely due to cigarette-friendly local laws.

The Canadian Grand Prix came close to being dropped over the close season due to an impending ban on tobacco adverts but a deal was agreed with Ecclestone for organisers to compensate teams for having to remove logos.