DECEMBER 13, 2000

Tobacco doubt over Hungarian GP

THE future of the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix is in doubt after the country's parliament banned cigarette advertising.

The Hungarian parliament voted in favor of banning cigarette advertising in the country which will on 1st July, 2001, and in all public places starting 1 January, 2002.

Ferenc Studnitzky, chief executive officer of Hungaroring, commented: "The very name of the race is the Marlboro Hungarian Grand Prix.

"I hope that we can come to some sort of agreement with the authorities and get an exemption for the race, like Belgium and France."

The FIA are unlikely to remove the event from the Formula One calendar for 2001 but the advertising ban in 2002 could put the race in serious doubt for that year.