There is a chance that the Renault team will have to strip their Lotus gold and black livery from their car for the Canadian Grand-Prix this season, as it may contravene the countries anti-tobacco laws.
The team’s livery has been called a “nostalgic throwback” to the John Player Special (JPS) livery of the ’70s and ’80s and although Renault isn’t sponsored, and doesn’t have any connections with JPS, Canadian officials are concerned that the livery is too similar to, and is a reminder of, the JPS F1 livery and the JPS cigarette packet.
The Toronto Globe and Mail has said, “Tobacco inspectors would need to fully review to assess whether a violation of the Tobacco Act has occurred.”
“The Tobacco Act prohibits the promotion of tobacco products or tobacco product-related brand elements in Canada. Tobacco advertising is severely restricted.”
Although no-one from Health Canada would comment directly, it is expected that Renault will be requested to co-operate with whatever is asked of them.
