Not just Europe anymore. It was a long battle, but F1 lost. As it's televised worldwide *no* branding allowed anywhere that may show up on the TV. I honestly believe they're just reducing their tax liabilities. May as well 'give' it to Ferrari as the taxman...... Cheers, Ian
or the "LOOK ALIKE" Bar Hondas Tobacco money leaving F1 was a huge blow. Yet we can still advertise booze and fast cars, a much more lethal combination. Makes little sense.
seems to damn unfair. i hate smoking, but i have nothing against people who want to smoke as long as i don't have to breathe it. The company is just providing something that people want. Nothing different of liquor IMO.
Not really. Tata is at least a car manufacturer. The problem with teams like RB (and STR) is that their core business has nothing to do with cars or Motorsport. Unlike Ferrari, MB, McLaren, Lotus, Caterham, Williams and Sauber. Not totally sure but I believe Marussia and Force India also have no connection (FI might be a nascent racing team but it still strikes me as a beer advertisement).
They had to issue something and that's the best they could manage. With atypical Monaco next they've got a while to let the attention wane and quietly redesign.
Strangely enough, it seems Eric Boullier at Lotus doesn't agree with Dietrich Mateschitz! (From: Changes to the tyres would be unfair - Lotus | Formula 1 | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN.co.uk ) : Lotus team principal Eric Boullier says there is nothing wrong with the current Pirelli tyres and it would be unfair to start making changes to the compounds midway through the season. "In some ways it's not fair, but we have to deal with it," Boullier said. "Everybody has the same tyres". "The question is not the tyres. If our car can do it [three pit stops], it is because we did something to allow our car to do it." He pointed out that the hard compound was already tweaked ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix to satisfy Lotus' rivals. "It's the same tyres for everybody. There was some slight change here that was supposed to please the complaining teams. I don't think Pirelli is going to change anything. They were asked to bring tyres that last 20 laps and they did it." For Dietrich Mateschitz: "If you can't stand the heat - Get out of the kitchen!"
Perhaps an alternate spin: Isn't it desireable to see MORE sources of funding coming into such an expensive sport? I'm not offended by Red Bull's participation, nor was I by Virgin's; more money coming in, more teams, more competition to watch! P.S.- Isn't "Lotus F1" just a licensing deal between Genii capital and whoever makes Lotus cars these days?
Absolutely. I'm happy RB and STR are in F1. But I'm less happy that RB is dominating and beating the established racing team with a long standing tradition in F1's history. Some millenial punk might get a kick out of that, but to me this is painful. And hence I'm rooting against them. I have to accept them because they fill up the field but I won't love and support them because I don't see the point in rooting for a soft drink (which I happen to like but that's besides). The connection might be weak but at least there is a connection. If RB would make a similar deal with e.g. Audi I'd be perfectly satisfied.
Haven't you seen the Infiniti co-branding? There's even a Sebastian Vettel edition of some Infiniti-or-the-other! I root for Mercedes because I drink Monster Energy(TM)! P.S.- on topic, I'm ready to see F1 go to a 30 or 45 minute sprint format with all the tire changes you want. I was just having a discussion yesterday about wanting to see it more of a race and less about this strategy or that strategy. I'll tune in to the CHess CHannel if I want to watch dudes trying to outsmart each other.
What tire company would do it? If they had to comply with the same edicts as Pirelli has they'd end up the same way.
Bingo Complaining about the tire company is a bit like whining over Tilke designs. They operate both within given parameters
I think your confused on Whose arrogant -It's Mateschitz Once the underdogs (Lotus) are getting a fighting chance he wants things changed for his benefit