It’s been a tough couple of years for the Ferrari F1 team’s title partner, Mission Winnow, an initiative by tobacco maker Philip Morris International. The duo’s partnership has existed since the days of Ayrton Senna in F1.
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However, one of the biggest controversies hit the inseparable duo in 2019. Amid F1’s ban on promoting tobacco products on cars, the presence of Mission Winnow felt like PMI’s attempt to break the law.
And this led to F1 officials investigating the matter. Although there never was a major problem, Ferrari had to take precautionary measures. For example, the Reds decided to remove the Mission Winnow logo from their cars during racing weekends in Europe this season. So it has not been an easy path for either of them.
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However, there could finally be good news towards Ferrari. Jacek Olczak, the CEO of Ferrari’s title partner Philip Morris International, made a sensational announcement to the world on Sunday.
What was PMI’s announcement?
According to The Guardian, PMI’s CEO announced that the tobacco maker is calling for a tobacco ban in the UK within a decade. Jacek said the company could “see the world without cigarettes. And the sooner it happens, the better it is for everyone.
Formula One F1 – Great Britain Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Great Britain – July 18, 2021 Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. during the REUTERS / Peter Cziborra race
“Give them a choice of smoke-free alternatives. With the right regulations and information, this could happen in 10 years in some countries. You can solve the problem once and for all, ”he reportedly told Telegraph.
The fact that Philip Morris directly calls for a tobacco ban could finally enable Ferrari to wear the Mission Winnow brand on their cars during an F1 season. Hence, this news will lead the masterful team to renew their collaboration with PMI at the earliest.
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PMI’s relationship with Ferrari in Formula 1
Philip Morris and Ferrari have arguably one of the strongest partnerships in F1. Their year of bond goes back to 1973 when the “Marlboro” brand appeared on Ferrari drivers’ helmets and suits.
Finally, in 1984, the Marlboro logo also secured a tiny stain on the car. However, after years of growing with the team, the Formula 1 ban on tobacco advertising went into effect in 2005, forcing Philip Morris to end his branding on the cars.
Formula 1 F1 – Styria Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Styria, Austria – June 25, 2021 Ferraris Carlos Sainz Jr. and Ferraris Charles Leclerc in action during training REUTERS / Leonhard Foeger
Even so, the company continued to sponsor the Italian outfit. And it wasn’t until 2019 when the Philip Morris brand returned to cars, only this time in disguise. Rather than appearing as a tobacco brand, PMI chose to leverage their famous tobacco control initiative Mission Winnow.
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Will Philip Morris’s recent announcement put the company out of a bad light amid the growing hatred for Mission Winnow?
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The post In view of the latest developments, will the notorious “Mission Winnow” remain Ferrari’s sponsors beyond 2021? first appeared on monter-une-startup.
