Italian consumer group, Codacons, has called on the government to seize Ferrari's new Formula 1 car over its Mission Winnow branding.
The Scuderia has faced issues over the presence of the campaign, launched by long-time Philip Morris International in late 2018, with many feeling it is a backhanded way of promoting tobacco, something that is forbidden in many countries.
Indeed, last year, Ferrari had to remove the Mission Winnow logos from the cars and teamwear at several races including their home race at Monza, and now, after the launch of the SF1000 on Tuesday, Codacons is upping their pressure campaign against the branding.
“The Ministry’s opinion states that ‘the Mission Winnow brand used on the occasion of Formula 1 sporting events allows, through the links on the site of the same name, a promotion, albeit indirectly, to an important manufacturer of cigarettes and new tobacco products’,” a statement read.
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“Strengthened by the decision of the ministry that confirms us across the board, we will start legal proceedings against Ferrari," Codacons president Carlos Rienzi added via AutoMoto.
“We will also ask for the new ‘SF1000’ single-seater that was presented yesterday in Reggio Emilia to be seized.”
It's unknown how successful their campaign against the branding could be, but it's certainly unthinkable that the Italian authorities would take the action Codacaons is demanding.
