Ferrari Figure Out a Way Around Philip Morris Problem

The Scuderia Ferrari team have managed to figure out a way to combat their sponsorship conundrum. As it turns out, the Maranello squad will be compelled to remove their main sponsor’s brand.

This is because, Australia has strict anti-tobacco laws and prohibits advertising as well. So, the Italian outfit will have to alter all the graphics for their cars, suits, helmets, panels, and crew uniforms.

Ferrari’s solution is for the team to return to using their 2018 overalls and livery for the Australian Grand Prix. Many predicted this outcome when the FIA released the latest list of entries for the 2019 Formula One World Championship. The one big difference is that tobacco corporation Philip Morris’ ‘Mission Winnow’ brand was omitted from the Ferrari team name.

During the SF90 launch, Ferrari was officially christened Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow. As expected from a title sponsor, their logo was emblazoned on the car.

However, it has now been confirmed that problems have arisen in relation to an alleged link between the name and a tobacco manufacturer. As a result, the Italian marquee have made the decision to remove all references to the company. The move was aimed at avoiding controversy or God forbid, the Australian government potentially banning the team from participating in the Grand Prix.

So, this means that the team must remove all the graphics for their cars, suits, helmets, panels, and uniforms. The team staff will have to wear the overalls from the 2018 season.

It is clear that in Maranello the team are working 24 hours a day to make this late change happen. This latest hiccup comes during an already intense period before the departure of the team for the first race of the year.

Similarly, the Ducati MotoGP team, also sponsored by Mission Winnow, may face the same issue when the MotoGP paddock heads to Phillip Island.