With the possibility of a tobacco sponsorship ban in Europe and Bernie Ecclestone says he is looking at Asia to hold Grands Prix, Asia 'says' they are ready.

Hanifah Yoong Abdullah, a director of the Shah Alam circuit in Malaysia stated: "There is no doubt that Asia is ready," he explained. "In the context of the economic conditions, things are more ideal than ever before and in my opinion Asia is not just ready, it deserves an event. With the high population of the region, it is a logical step. Malaysia, China, Korea and Indonesia are ready to receive a race, but I think Malaysia is more than ready because there is a bigger commitment to getting Formula One."

This seems to indicate that Ecclestone 'threat' to leave Europe behind if a ban is introduced is not an empty threat. He added: "From what I understand the Kuala Lumpur circuit is going to be fitted with a number of technological innovations, including high-technology fibre-optic communications. I believe it will be the best circuit in the world as far as telecommunications, transportation and accommodation are concerned. I am impressed with how things are going and I think it will have more than enough to run a Formula One race."

But the idea that advertising of tobacco companies is free in Asia is unfounded. Singapore and Thailand have complete bans and the laws regarding this type of advertisement are very complex.

Abdullah stated: "It could be a big problem. In Thailand, it is so bad that if a television station wants to broadcast a race from Australia, where advertising is allowed on the cars, sometimes they even have to blur out the names and logos of cigarette manufacturers."

So it may seem the days of cigarette ads on Formula One cars are numbered.