“We want to let the world know how we have changed” – Mission Winnow’s branding could return to Ferrari F1 this season, after being absent in last season’s 17 races.
Philip Morris International has a strong association with Ferrari. Earlier, we had their Malboro brand appearing on the Ferrari F1 cars. Most recently, we saw Mission Winnow getting branded on the red beasts. This wasn’t the case last season though, as none of PMI’s branding was visible in the SF1000. This could be set to change, with reports suggesting that the Mission Winnow branding could make a comeback, in the cars driven by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
The controversy in this revolves around PMI doing surrogate advertising to promote their cigarette business. On similar lines, McLaren has a partnership with British American Tobacco. The company’s vice-president for internal communications Tommaso di Giovanni had this to say to RaceFans:
“Decisions about our approach to single events or races are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to regulations in place in the country and the environment in which the race takes place. We will announce plans for the next season and specific races in due course.”
“Mission Winnow is not meant to promote any product or brand. Mission Winnow is an initiative to encourage dialogue around positive change; our own, and that of others. Through Mission Winnow, we want to let the world know how we have changed; to share our pride in the transformation that the people of PMI have achieved and continue to work for.”
