The combination of two such iconic and aspirational global brands fits perfectly with CNN International’s worldwide reach and brand positioning. This unique partnership with Lotus Racing takes CNN International into a new era of marketing and promotions and puts us in front of a worldwide audience of millions. Rani Raad.

We are very proud to welcome CNN into the Lotus Racing family. It is a sign of the positive impact we have already made in the global business market that such a prestigious brand, familiar to millions around the world as the definitive source of news and current affairs, has made the decision to partner with us. The whole team and I are looking forward to working with CNN in the months and years to come on some very exciting campaigns. Tony Fernandes.

Lotus are one of two new teams to have launched a car prior to the first race of the year and have been participating in the group tests, with drivers Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovaleinen as well as test driver Fairuz Fauzy developing the chassis. Although the lap times haven’t been on par with the already established squads, the T127 looks to be reliable and of the four new teams that are hoped to be competing this year, Lotus appear to be in a good position to move forward during the course of the 2010 season.

Original article by BlogF1.

Lotus Announce CNN Sponsorship Deal

Although it had initially been reported that new regulations allowed teams to miss up to three races a year before the FIA intervened, the governing body has since clarified that any races missed would constitute a breach of contract and repercussions may be felt. This is relevant to USF1 as Anderson has stated that the team would ideally miss the first four races of the season: Bahrain, Australia, Malaysia and China. Anderson would like for his team to arrive in Formula One at the start of the European season in Barcelona.

We’re working with the FIA. to clarify how many races we can miss. In an ideal world, we can miss the first four races and show up in Barcelona. Ken Anderson.

Acknowledging that sponsorship had fallen through, Anderson admitted to paying the employees a day late last month, but also said that if the FIA gave the team the green light to continue, a plan would fall in place and additional funds would be found in order to ensure the team’s survival. Anderson was also keen to refute rumour that major backer and co-founder of YouTube, Chad Hurley, was still an investor in the team and also denied that team’s fellow founder Peter Windsor had left.

With Campos Meta also going through some difficulties in reaching the Bahrain grid on time (it is reported Campos Meta are now on target), it would seem that only two of the new squads were completely viable to begin with; Lotus and Virgin having already designed, built and tested a Formula One machine. USF1 were one of the first squads to announce their plans to enter the sport, but currently it would seem they are the least viable entrant at the moment.

Original article by BlogF1.

Anderson Speaks: USF1 To Miss Bahrain?

In this day and age, and certainly in the UK, drinking and driving is becoming very much a big no-no. While there have been laws in place relating to the amount of alcohol you may have in your body while driving for along time now, it has taken a little longer for it to pass down to a social level. However, as time progresses it is slowly becoming socially unacceptable to drink while driving, and is something I’m sure the government is very pleased about.

The problem arises though when, albeit in a different situation, car-owners the world over tune in to watch a grand prix and see the cars adorned with Johnnie Walker and Martini logos. This is further pushed when on the podium, the top three finishers (Bahrain aside) are seen spraying and drinking Mumm champagne. It is, of course, a very different message to drinking and driving, the consumption taking place after driving and in small quantities. But alcohol is there though, at the tracks, on the cars and around the drivers. Is this really any better than seeing ‘Marlboro’ written on the engine cover of a Ferrari?

Smoking was banned in the pit lane and paddock areas many years ago, much to the annoyance of Peter Sauber who used to enjoy his cigars, and Flavio Briatore who eventually quit the cigarettes. But drinking alcohol is socially acceptable at the circuits, and the paddock area goes through an awful lot of champagne over the course of a Formula One grand prix weekend.

The only circuit on the championship calendar to not have champagne on the podium is Bahrain. The reason is that the Kingdom of Bahrain is mostly Islamic, and therefore alcohol is prohibited. Instead, the podium celebrations are helped along with a mix of locally grown fruit (pomegranate and trinj) combined with rosewater instead. And the celebrations on the Bahraini podium look to be just as joyful as anywhere else the circus travels to.

I think the thing that causes concern in my head is that those invited into the paddock are typically the type of people who might possibly drink and drive. These folk, like thousands others around the world, are celebrating something, having a bit of a party and generally enjoying themselves at the weekend. Many of the paddock-dwellers will have drivers, or even pilots, but the message is still there: Alcohol and motor sport go together.

Isn’t it time, along with the tobacco ban, that alcohol should also be banned from the podium and cars? I don’t think you’d be able to enforce a ban on the fans who line the circuits, but by removing the name ‘Fosters’ from the sides of the circuits certainly cannot do any harm.

Original article by BlogF1.

Smoking & Drinking In F1: Do Mumms Always Know Best?

So on to Ferrari. The Scuderia moved away from their tradtional colour when Marlboro came on board in 1996, along with Michael Schumacher et al, and the red was brightened up a bit. Although Malrboro are only into the second year of a five year deal, it was hoped that Ferrari might return to their original fighting paint – Ferrari red. But, Marlboro are keeping part of their logo on the car. In order to circumnavigate the new rules, Marlboro will display the bar code on the engine cover – just as they did at races that had already banned cigarette advertising. And apparently, in a hope to add even more of a subliminal message, the red is moving even further away from Ferrari red and closer to Marlboro red. In other words, even brighter.

I was personally hoping the car would return to its traditional colours, but I guess Ferrari need the money, despite allegedly not paying Kimi Raikkonen as much as Michael Schumacher. Also sponsoring the team for 2007 will be Mubadala Abu Dhabi. an arab company owned by the government of Abu Dhabi. The company recently purchased a 5% stake on the Ferrari company for $138m, and will now appear on the team caps and on the car as well.

Ferrari are due to launch their 2007 challenger tomorrow.

Original article by BlogF1.

Ferrari Run Marlboro Red