Saturday August 28th, 1999

Could this weekend see the last Formula One Grand Prix driven at the Spa-Francorchamps? According to reports coming from Belgium, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has told officials of the Belgian region and the organisers of the Belgian Grand Prix that he has decided to drop Spa from next year's calendar, after negotiations to allow the cars to carry tobacco sponsoship reached a dead end.

The Belgian government has banned tobacco advertising in the beginning of the year, but at the same time, a regional decree exempted Grands Prix from the legislation, thus allowing the Belgian Grand Prix to take place this weekend. However, when the teams arrived at Spa on Thursday they received a warning from the Belgian Health Ministry, telling them inspectors will be sent to the track to enforce the law banning cigarette advertising. A minister of the Belgian government also warned that heavy fines and indictments will be served to anyone who breaches this federal law.

The matter caused confusion in the F1 paddock, and team owners were hesitant as to what livery to run on their cars. Ferrari used "Formula One" on their wings, instead of Marlboro; McLaren had "David" and "Mika" on the overall and cars of the respective drivers, instead of West, and BAR had the words "Run Free" typed on the 'Lucky Strike' side of the car, whereas the 555 blue side remained unchanged.

In the mean time, Ecclestone held discussions with officials from the region, the organisers and the Belgian government. After two hours, the Economic Minister of the Walloon region, where Spa-Francorchamps is located, told the press that Ecclestone decided the F1 circus will not return to Spa.