14/05/2015
NEWS STORY
Its distinct original branding long gone, Marlboro nonetheless extends its Ferrari partnership.
While for most teams tobacco advertising finally became a no-no in 2006, Ferrari - as always the exception rather than the rule - continued sporting Marlboro branding in certain races in to 2007.
From 2008, whilst the association with Marlboro remained, the logos became far more subtle whilst the official team name also continued as Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro until this too was dropped in mid-2011.
Whilst, in the eye of the general public, there is no longer a discernible link with Ferrari, Philip Morris International (PMI), which owns Marlboro, has signed a new contract extending the deal to 2018.
Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene, himself a former executive with Marlboro, revealed that the new deal had been agreed at a board meeting last year, PMI subsequently confirming this.
Whilst its branding is no longer visible, certainly at Grands Prix, Marlboro, which is unwilling to reveal the financial terms, is clearly benefitting from the deal.