UK: Formula One Sponsorship

The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the organisation which acts as motor racing’s world governing body, has surprised many observers by mooting the possibility – subject to reviewing statistical and research evidence – of a voluntary undertaking to end tobacco sponsorship deals in Formula One racing by 2002, four years before the date envisaged by the recently-introduced draft Directive on tobacco advertising. Furthermore, the ban may be enforced by the FIA on a worldwide, and not merely EU, basis. The possible move by FIA relates to a meeting it is due to hold in Geneva this week with representatives of the World Health Organisation; the meeting is aimed at examining evidence on whether there is a confirmed link between smoking and tobacco advertising and sponsorship of motor racing. Max Mosley, president of the FIA, explained the possible extension and earlier implementation of the sponsorship ban in this way: “The FIA has consistently said that, if presented with evidence of a direct link between tobacco advertising and sponsorship and smoking it would act to eliminate it from Formula One. It is thought by several governments that they can make such evidence available. We have always said that if they did we would look at introducing a ban ourselves on a worldwide basis.” However, some analysts believe that the FIA’s move towards an earlier and more complete tobacco sponsorship ban may in fact be linked to the investigation by the EU’s Competition Directorate into allegedly restrictive broadcasting rights for Formula One; the FIA has granted long-term broadcasting rights to Bernie Ecclestone, a promoter of Formula One racing who has long planned to float a number of related companies.