Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel is known to enjoy pushing the boundaries of regulations not impacting racing which he deems to be unnecessary. An exaple of this being the FIA mandate introduced in 2015 stating drivers are unable to change helmet design through a season. A regulation which has seen Vettel use 7 slightly different designs so far in 2016.
Pictured here during the track parade for the 2016 Canadian Grand Prix, Vettel defies regulations again, this time with his iPhone cover. Despite tobacco advertising being prohibited in Formula One for a number of years, Philip Morris International (Marlboro) remain the principle partner of Scuderia Ferrari. The partnership has explored numerous ways around the ban through adapting logo designs to mimic the iconic Marlboro logo and exploring subliminal messaging through barcode designs instead of Marlboro wording. The partnership seeks to make Marlboro synonymous with the Scuderia.
Vettel has taken this one step further in clearly showing the Marlboro brand whilst using his phone during an official Formula One session. Use of the logo in the public situation may not have been deliberate, but will no doubt lead to questions around whether of not the act constitutes advertising.
That kinda looks photoshoped…when you zoom in on it
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I’ve seen a few images of Vettel on the drivers parade all with the same logos on his phone. This was the highest quality one I could find.
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How can the FIA even have a problem with this while displaying Heineken logos all over the place now ?
More people killed in road accidents that are beer related than cigarette related.
Can’t have it both ways.
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I think you mean flout not flaunt.
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You mean flout not flaunt
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Must be a slow news day
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Formula one sensational tabloid at best.
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Funny part is that they are actually making a story about it. Funny thing is that Vettel, Ferrari and Marlboro wanted them to make a story about it. Great job @JWGrandPrix, you just exactly did what they wanted you to do……
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