Cars Face Smokeout

The European Commission, seeking to ban all tobacco advertising, on Thursday said in Brussels, Belgium, that Formula One officials were “bluffing” with their threat to move auto races out of Europe if the ban is imposed.

The 15 European Union nations are expected to vote on the ban next Thursday. Racing officials said if the ban is passed, most of the 10 European races would be moved to Asia since the tobacco industry is the sport’s biggest sponsor, providing about $170 million a year.

Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve renewed his criticism of the sport’s rulemakers, saying in Wiener Neudorf, Austria, that they make Grand Prix auto racing too easy.

Villeneuve sees Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher as his biggest competition next season. But he said new FIA rules make cars slower and easier to drive, giving even average drivers more of a chance.