Formula One supreme Bernie Ecclestone gave an impromptu press conference at the Barcelona circuit on Saturday, touching on a range of subjects from tobacco sponsorship to the British GP to qualifying. At a conference to announce that the circuit of Catalunya has extended its contract to stage the Spanish GP to the end of 2011, Ecclestone stressed that, if anti-tobacco legislation was brought into effect, then the race could be lost. "I hope we can get that all sorted out in Europe so we don't have to keep disappearing out of Europe. It's a pity that each country can't make its own decision on the tobacco advertising.” Currently half the F1 grid, including Jordan with backing from Benson & Hedges, relies on sponsorship support from the tobacco industry.
Although Ecclestone recently acquired the commercial rights to the British GP, he said he had no intention of promoting the race himself. “I'm absolutely sure that a promoter will come forward and promote the British Grand Prix,” he said. On the subject of F1 qualifying, Ecclestone hinted there could be further changes to the format within this season, with the man himself favouring two half-hour sessions on Saturday.