Ferrari extends its association with Marlboro
Ferrari is an exception in F1 in more ways than one. The Italian team remains the only team to be sponsored by a tobacco brand, namely Marlboro. The two partners have decided to extend their association for several more years.
Ferrari’s situation is unique in F1, notably as the oldest and most well-known team on the grid. It has leveraged this to negotiate a special status with the commercial rights holder, which translates into specific payments in the distribution of F1’s profits.
But this also allows it to be one of the teams with the most sponsors, as its popularity translates into the sale of millions of merchandise items that also display the logos of these supporters.
All but one. Indeed, Ferrari is in the paradoxical situation of being supported by one of the sport’s biggest sponsors that does not appear on its cars. This is Marlboro and its parent company Philip Morris, since F1 has banned all tobacco advertising since 2007.
This does not prevent the brand from once again pursuing its association with the Scuderia, which was even accused in 2010 of subliminal advertising for the brand with the red and white packaging.
As the last two agreements have been extended for a duration of three years, it can be assumed that the same applies to the new agreement, which would last until the end of the 2020 season, when the new Concorde Agreements are expected to take effect.
With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr
