The future of Formula One in Europe beyond 2006 is again in doubt after the sport's governing body scrapped plans for a ban on tobacco advertising.
The FIA today outlined their intention to abandon initial plans to impose a ban on tobacco sponsorship within the sport at the end of 2006.
That date had been agreed with the World Health Organisation but the European Union recently announced it would ban tobacco advertising a year earlier, angering Formula One bosses who still rely heavily on cigarette companies for revenue.
An FIA statement revealed the ban will be replaced by a "recommendation", which would not be enforceable.
Their statement read: "On legal advice the FIA has withdrawn the ban on tobacco sponsorship in motor sport voted in October 2000 (for implementation in 2006) and substituted the following as a recommendation.
"That motor sport promoters and competitors (including circuit owners, event organisers, teams and drivers) should cease all forms of tobacco sponsorship from October 1 2006."
The move will increase speculation that Formula One is on the verge of deserting its traditional home in Europe.
If tobacco adverts are banned in Europe in 2005, Formula One is likely to look elsewhere, especially if such promotion is possible beyond 2006.
Races in Belgium and Austria have already been dropped from the calendar because of advertising rows, in favour of tobacco-friendly races in Bahrain and China.
With recent criticism of Silverstone from Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, the British Grand Prix is believed to be under threat and any new move to switch focus away from Europe would heighten fears over the event's future.
Of Formula One's current grid of 10 teams, four rely heavily on cigarette sponsorship, including the dominant Ferrari squad. Cigarette branding also features heavily at many circuits.
However, Williams recently bucked the trend for tobacco association with a deal with stop-smoking treatment Niquitin CQ.