Formula One drops Canadian GP

MONTREAL, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The Canadian Grand Prix has been dropped from next year's Formula One schedule due to legislation banning tobacco advertising, it was announced Thursday.

The announcement came one day after organizers were informed by F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone.

"This letter says that Canada's Grand Prix won't show up on the Formula One world championship 2004 calendar," said Normand Legault, the race's CEO. "This decision seems to be the consequence of the tobacco laws coming into full effect."

Canada has held a grand prix since 1967 and Montreal has hosted it since 1978 at a riverside track named after the late Gilles Villeneuve. The du Maurier Classic, formerly a Canada-based Grand Slam event on the LPGA Tour, also was a casualty of tobacco legislation.

The Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at Spa was canceled this season for similar reasons.