Monday October 28th, 2002

Next year's Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps track has been deleted from the Formula One calendar in a row over restrictions on tobacco advertising, officials announced today.

Formula One has agreed to phase out all sponsorship by tobacco companies in 2006 in line with a global embargo planned by the World Health Organisation.

Belgium has not followed the example of several European countries which have offered a special dispensation from domestic legislation limiting tobacco advertising to motor racing until 2006.

Five Formula One teams including World Champions Ferrari have tobacco sponsorship. Spa has hosted 36 Belgian Grands Prix.

Published at 15:03:04 GMT