28/05/2015
NEWS STORY
FIA president Jean Todt says F1 has no plan to ban alcohol sponsorship.
Speaking at the International Transport Forum in Leipzig, Todt was responding to the latest call from the European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare) to ban alcohol sponsorship in F1.
Last week, ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Ecclestone issued an 18 page report, entitled 'Alcohol Advertising And Sponsorship In Formula One: A Dangerous Cocktail', based on analysis of brand exposure during last year's Monaco Grand Prix together with analysis of teams' sponsorship by the alcohol industry.
The report's authors claim alcohol sponsorship goes against the spirit of the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive. Furthermore, they also believe the practices in F1 go against even weaker voluntary codes set up by the alcohol industry itself.
"The use of advertising for alcohol is not linked to the FIA," said Todt. "It's linked to each singular country.
"I'm completely against and advocating against drinking and driving," he added, "but each country needs to make his own job.
"You cannot ban alcohol, it is not possible, but you can educate people not to drink and drive. So we are working very closely on that because we know it is an essential topic to be addressed. I am urging alcohol companies to participate in funding to educate people and discourage people driving when they are drinking."
Currently only three teams carry the logos of alcohol brands, and whilst Monaco does feature a significant amount of alcohol signage other races, such as Bahrain, carry none at all.