[Raceboy]

The deputy head of Spa's regional government, Serge Kuble, is still hopeful that the Belgian Grand Prix could go ahead this year, after meeting with Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley yesterday (Monday) to discuss the race's future.

The race, held at the fabled Spa-Francorchamps circuit, was axed from this year's schedule due to the Belgian government agreeing to outlaw all tobacco sponsorship from this August, three years ahead of the 2006 ban supported by the sports governing body, the FIA.

"Discussions centred around the possibility of organising a Formula One grand prix at Francorchamps in 2004, indeed in 2003," said a statement from Kuble. "As far as 2003 goes, the organisation of a grand prix has not been completely ruled out, even if the chance is slim after the [tobacco] vote in parliament and all the delay."

Ecclestone has already stated that he would like Spa to return to the calendar in 2004, but that its return would be dependent on the government reversing the tobacco legislation that caused the race to be cancelled

bron: autosport.com