08/07/2011
NEWS STORY
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As the Maranello outfit prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its first world championship win, it has reverted to its old name, Scuderia Ferrari.
July 14 marks sixty years to the day since Argentine racer Froilan Gonzalez took victory at Silverstone, thereby scoring the first of Ferrari's 215 victories in the Formula One World Championship.
As the team prepares to celebrate the historic occasion, sharp-eyed fans at Silverstone may have noticed that while the cars livery remains unchanged, the pit signage and even the team's name in the official entry list no longer reads Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro but simply Scuderia Ferrari, the legendary stable formed by Enzo Ferrari in 1940 - though the first official Ferrari didn't appear until 1946.
Explaining the decision, Ferrari communications manager Luca Colajanni admitted to Pitpass that the name change is more about recent criticism by anti-tobacco campaign groups regarding the continued relationship with (Marlboro manufacturer) Philip Morris.
"Philip Morris and Ferrari have responded to recent concerns regarding the official Ferrari team name and have decided, effective immediately and worldwide, that "Marlboro" will no longer be a part of the team name," he said. "Whilst we do not agree with the concerns raised, our decision has been taken in line with our history of responsiveness on similar issues and to avoid what would likely be an unnecessary and unproductive debate."