Ferrari discusses EU problem over new F1 deal despite Mission Winnow

PMI enjoyed its famous title sponsorship with Ferrari through its Marlboro brand from 1997 to a crackdown on tobacco sponsorship in the late 2000s.

But after PMI launched its Mission Winnow initiative in 2018 with a view to a non-tobacco-free future, Ferrari started sponsoring its cars with Mission Winnow and became the title sponsor from 2019.

The Mission Winnow branding has been used repeatedly since then depending on where races are being held to avoid controversy over tobacco advertising laws. The logos were not used at all during the shortened 2020 season but returned with a bright green design on the engine cover of the Ferrari SF21 car.

Ahead of the French Grand Prix last weekend, it was announced that the Mission Winnow logos will not be used in any of the upcoming races in the EU and also in the UK Grand Prix in July.

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However, Ferrari team principal Binotto denied that this was a sign that the relationship with PMI was coming to an end, saying he did not believe there was “a relationship between the two”.

“If you look at the last year or the previous years, there were races where we didn’t put a logo on the car,” said Binotto. “That was because of the regulations of different countries, and we’re just trying to respect it, as we have in the past and we still do today.”

Ferrari’s existing sponsorship deal with PMI expires later this year, but Binotto said talks are already underway for a new deal.

“You are right, the contract expires at the end of the year,” said Binotto. “But we’re talking to PMI, who has been a very strong and close partner for us for many, many years, and the relationships are good.

“Well, I think we’ll see how it will be completed in the next few months.”