Binotto Sheds Light on Mission Winnows’ Future With Ferrari F1 After French GP Removal

Ferrari F1 team’s long-trusted sponsors, Philip Morris International, recently removed their ‘Mission Winnow’ logo from the cars ahead of the string of weekends around Europe.

While the Maranello outfit affirmed the return of PMI following the Europe outing, questions raised over the potential fallout in their relationship. Reports claimed this could be the end of their decade-long bond in Formula 1. However, the truth is far from it, according to the Ferrari boss.

Mattia Binotto reckoned that Ferrari’s relationship with PMI is very much healthy. Furthermore, the Italian revealed that Ferrari have initiated talks for a new agreement, with the current contract expiring by the end of this season.

What did the Ferrari boss say?

As reported by Autosport, Binotto opened up that Ferrari could draft up a contract with the tobacco giants in the coming months.

“You’re right, the contract is finishing by the end of the year,” he said. “But we have discussions ongoing with PMI which has been a very strong and close partner for us for many, many years, and the relationships are good.

“So how it will be concluded, I think we will see in the next months.”

Philip Morris International have been a part of Ferrari’s F1 journey for decades. What’s more, the Swiss-American company also had their brand, Marlboro, on Ferrari cars for several years, before the tobacco-based advertising rules came into place.

We are respecting certain countries’ regulations: Binotto

Binotto opened up that the removal of the ‘Mission Winnow’ logo from Ferrari was entirely to respect certain countries’ regulations.

“If you look as well at last year’s or previous years, there were races where we are not having to logo on the car,” Binotto said.

“That was down to the regulations of various countries. And we are simply trying to respect it as we did in the past and still do today.”

As of now, PMI’s decision to stay out of F1 will possibly last until the race weekend in Russia. The weekend at Sochi ends the sport’s trip around the European continent, as the focus then shifts to Asia, followed by America and Australia.

Overall, how are the ongoing talks going to end between the two manufacturers? Will PMI continue to sponsor the Maranello outfit? Or will 2021 mark the end of the duo’s long-held relationship in F1?

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