European Commission Pressures Countries/Teams to Fall in Line
A Renault spokesman has explained why it was the only tobacco-sponsored team at the Hungarian grand prix last weekend to wear its cigarette logos. Keen-eyed observers noted that while Phillip Morris-backed Ferrari and BAT-funded Honda ran their unbranded liveries, Renault raced around the Hungaroring with the logos of Japan Tobacco’s ‘Mild Seven’ clearly displayed on the engine cover, side pods and front and rear wings.Although local legislation allowed F1 teams to advertise tobacco on their racers in 2006, Hungary was last month implored by the ‘European Commission’ to fall in line with the continent-wide ban.
It was reported on Tuesday that, in 2007 and beyond, Hungary will indeed be a no-tobacco race, after non-compliant Germany was referred to the European Court of Justice.
The Renault spokesman explained that Ferrari and Honda simply ‘chose’ to exercise the right to run unbranded in Hungary. “Our policy is always to respect local legislation,” he said.
“It happened in Spain earlier this year that we ran branded and other companies chose not to.”
The spokesman pointed out that, interestingly, Phillip Morris and BAT nonetheless used tobacco liveries for the Spanish MotoGP race.
[GMM]
Bookmark to:
- Italy/Hungary Warned: Stop F1 Cars from Running Tobacco Logos
- Alonso Says Renault Will Struggle in Hungary
- BAT exits Formula 1 tobacco sponsorship
- Renault find sponsor to replace Mild Seven
- Formula 1 severing tobacco ties as it moves forward
Oh no! Sure hope that no one saw that logo…they might run out and light up! Lord save us!
Can’t Formula 1 ban all Cigarette ads on anything that is associated with F1? NASCAR done it with the NEXTEL (Previously Winston) Cup in 2004. So, why not?
Formula 1 can ban tobacco through the FIA if they so choose but I don’t think they want to…the reason being is that it cuts off funding to the teams that use it.
They’re just letting the European Union push it out at their pace.