The Belgian Grand Prix will return to the Formula One calendar on August 29th next year after a ban on tobacco advertising was postponed, it was announced today.
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone had assured Walloon Economy Minister Serge Kubla earlier this month the race at Spa-Francorchamps would be placed back on the calendar.
A spokesman for Kubla said Ecclestone had committed himself to the race until 2010. Belgium has been struggling to get the Belgian Grand Prix back on the Formula One calendar after it was left off this year's schedule due to local anti-tobacco legislation.
The Belgian parliament last month voted to push back the date of the ban from this month to July 31st, 2005 when a European Union ban comes into force.
The track is a favourite of world champion Michael Schumacher, who made his debut at Spa in 1991 and won his first F1 race there in 1992. The race was last run on September 1st last year with Schumacher again winning for Ferrari.
Canada's 2004 Formula One Grand Prix was officially cancelled last week because of the federal government's ban on tobacco-related sponsorship.