Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMcLaren

McLaren drops BAT branding for Australian GP

McLaren has removed the BAT logos from its car and team kit in Melbourne, following Ferrari's move to remove Mission Winnow branding to avoid the risk of litigation in Australia linked to the country's anti-tobacco advertising laws.

Earlier this week, the Scuderia announced that it had deleted the Philip Morris International 'Mission Winnow' branding on its SF90 for this weekend's opening round of the F1 world championship.

McLaren has followed suit, discarding in Melbourne the British American Tobacco 'A Better Tomorrow' initiative it will be promoting this season.

McLaren defends partnership with BAT - denies link to big tobacco

The allocated space on the Woking-based outfit's MCL34 will be taken this weekend by Japanese-owned American international chain of convenience stores, 7-Eleven.

Speaking last month at the launch of McLaren's 2019 contender, CEO Zak Brown denied that tobacco companies were coming back to F1 through a back door.

"Our partnership is one that is technology based with their newer generation products. We don't have any relationship with the tobacco side of the business," said Brown.

"Their industry is one that's transforming and is technology-driven. So we think there's areas where we can work with them and help them in their transformation journey around technology."

Both Ferrari and McLaren are expected to display their respective tobacco company alternate brandings - or initiatives - at Bahrain later this month.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.