03/06/2011
NEWS STORY
Lotus Renault GP made contact with the Quebec authorities recently to discuss the conformity of the R31's black and gold livery with the anti-tobacco legislation in force.
After noting that the team has no link to the tobacco industry, and the black and gold colours used are a reference to the cars of the eighties rather than a particular sponsor, the Ministry of Health has given its agreement for Lotus Renault GP to take part in this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix with an unchanged livery.
However, the team has agreed to work with the Quebec authorities on a more noticeable way to keep complying with the local legislation in 2012.
"We're delighted to be able to race in Montreal in our usual colour scheme," said Eric Boullier. The Quebec authorities noted that the current livery makes a reference to images from the 1980s when the car was sponsored by the tobacco industry, but it has also accepted the fact that Lotus Renault GP receives no direct or indirect financing from the industry in question.
"We would like to thank them for acknowledging our good faith," he added. "We are fully aware of the stringent restrictions imposed by the law in Quebec on promotional associations with tobacco. As a result, we will use all means available to dispel any misconceptions that our identity and that of our partners is somehow associated with this industry."