Ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 season, Ferrari has opted to drop 'Mission Winnow' from its team name.
An updated entry list from the FIA has been released, confirming the disappearance of the brand from the team name as Ferrari's entry now reads 'Scuderia Ferrari'.
Mission Winnow is an initiative launched between Ferrari and Philip Morris International (PMI, which was unveiled at the Japanese Grand Prix last year. It has been suggested that it is a method of slyly promoting its tobacco products, however PMI has denied such allegations.
Health departments in Australia and Europe expressed concern over Mission Winnow, due to the tight regulations on tobacco advertising.
The Mission Winnow logos will continue to feature on Ferrari's 2019 challenger, the SF90, as well as the drivers' race suits and the teamwear.
Another change on the updated FIA list is an alteration is the name of Racing Point's engines, which is now reads 'BWT Mercedes' in relation to one of the Silverstone based squad's primary sponsors.
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Oh yeah, I did wonder why nobody had clamped down on it earlier. TBH, at first glance and for the "filthy casuls" out there who aren't clued in to the politics, it would've looked like nothing more than a vain attempt from Ferrari to boost morale among the fans, but everyone else knew Morris was involved, and what his involvement could indicate. Im neutral on it personally, but can see both sides of it.
As for BWT-Merc: again, I wondered why they'd stayed, considering some sour grapes between then and Force India, and it seems daddy Stroll leapt into the fray and gave them more focus in exchange for continued drip-feeding of cash.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
This Mission Winnow thing was amusing from the beginning. I even checked out their website to see if maybe they tried to cover up Marlboro under the guise of research, development, or something. But no, this was just an "initiative" to properly innovation or something. No detail on the "mission" or concrete objectives or anything. So yeah... Not surprised here at all. I'm aamzed that over a decade later after then ban Marlboro keeps trying.
That being said, I reiterate my view, there shouldn't be a ban. If you're stupid enough smoke and try to remove yourself out of the gene pool I think you should. Especially if you have lo find my favorite sport in the process
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Right, except smoking doesn't have to remove you from the gene pool, but might harm others around you or the children you produce. Smoking are among the things that can impact generations down the line, be it active or passive, father or mother. We don't have to ban smoking, neither do we need to prevent them from funding teams necessarily, as long as it's similar to Marlboro and Ferrari or McLaren and BAT, but the stickers isn't something I personally can endorse, regardless of history.