Motor Sport: Australia faces loss of GP
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE French Grand Prix having already gone up in smoke, it now seems that Australia could be next in line to lose its Formula One race if the government Down Under goes ahead with plans to ban tobacco-industry sponsorship of sporting events.
The announcement follows Thursday's news that Fisa, the governing body of motor sport, had voted to remove next year's French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours from the world championship calendar because of stringent anti-smoking laws in France.
The Australian government proposes to ban all tobacco advertising and sponsorship from 1995, but has invited events of 'international significance' to seek exemptions.
Meanwhile, motorcycling has lost next year's French Grand Prix because of the tough anti-tobacco laws. Jean-Pierre Mougins, president of the sport's governing body in France, said the race at Le Castellet, scheduled for 18 July, would be scrapped shortly.
Rallying has also been affected by the French legislation. This, combined with the recession, has meant that the number of competitors entering the Paris-Dakar rally, which begins on 1 January, has been cut by more than half.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments