The organisers of the Belgium Grand Prix are trying to safe the sport in their country and not just Formula One. The anti tobacco ad legislation has hit organisers as a bomb.

A lawyer stated: "This law will spark a catastrophe in the region. It will not have any impact on public health because there will still be advertising shown on television through the cable network...the Belgian F1 race will be banned but not other races."

But it was not so dramatic as it seemed at first. The Belgium Grand Prix was still unsure for next year until today. The FIA has decided to keep the Grand Prix on the 1998 calendar. But if the Tobacco ad ban still comes into play in 1999 then it will also disappear in 1998. The French Grand Prix is removed. Reserves are China and South Africa. The calendar is still provisional.