Latest News
Formula One has stubbed out cigarette logos once and for all, after Ferrari and Philip Morris agreed to run Marlboro ‘barcodes’ on their F2008s instead of the tobacco brand’s normal logo.
F1 has been trying to get the nicotine out of its system for several years. McLaren, Renault (née Benetton) and Honda (née BAR) have all found alternative sources of sponsorship income and dropped the tobacco branding accordingly.
Ferrari has a deal with Philip Morris that runs through to 2011 and is worth a reputed £600 million, so it was thought that it would continue Marlboro branding in countries where legislation permits it.
However, Ferrari’s dominant one-two in the Bahrain GP was scored with ‘unbranded’ cars, even though the country would have allowed full logos. The team has now confirmed that this will be its policy in future.
The reasons behind the switch are still unclear, but it could simply be a ‘goodwill’ gesture on Philip Morris’s part, allowing Ferrari a ‘cleaner’ car to attract alternative sponsorship in advance of the Marlboro deal’s conclusion.
Your Say
Comments: 6 Join the discussion
News archive
Today's hottest stories
Join the debate
Our Say
Autocar's team blogs.
Your Say
Join the debate in our forums.