Clearing up the air
With several cars appearing at Barcelona testing last week with their cars in tobacco livery - against the directive of the European Union laws - there is again much confusion on what will become of cigarette advertising in Formula One. Dieter Rencken got clarifications from Gary Carey, head of sponsorship for British American Tobacco, at the Honda 2006 launch
Last week's Formula One test session at the Barcelona circuit was remarkable for the amount of tobacco livery about the place. Both Ferrari and Renault sported fag colours in apparent conflict with European Law, which, as of August 1st last year, outlawed sponsorship of sporting, educational and cultural events and teams within the 25-country territory.
With EU law overriding legislative powers of individual member states, and Spain being very much one of the earliest signatories, there existed much confusion in and around the paddock. Dieter Rencken asked Gary Carey, head of sponsorship for British American Tobacco, whether the laws had changed during Formula One's winter break.
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