The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is taking the EU to the European Court of Justice to try to ensure that a worldwide ban on tobacco sponsorship comes into force, as originally envisaged, on October 1, 2006, rather than July 31, 2005.
The FIA believes that introducing a ban on the earlier date would create a problem for Formula One teams such as McLaren and Ferrari, which have already signed contracts with the West and Marlboro cigarette brands lasting until the end of the 2006 season.
Under a revised EU Directive proposed in May 2001, the tobacco ban was brought forward to July 2005. The FIA believes the date will be counter-productive because it will result in the relocation of many F1 races outside the EU and force teams to extend contracts with tobacco firms.
The governing body is also incensed that the date falls in the middle of the season, making it even harder for teams to make contingency plans.
In a statement, the FIA said it was pursuing legal action against the EU because it had failed to give reasons for changing the implementation date; because it had led the sport to believe teams would have until the end of 2006 to find alternative sponsors; and because there had been inadequate consultation by the EU.
The FIA added that the Directive would fail because it would force events outside the EU, yet remain accessible to EU residents as a result of broadcast agreements.
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