McLaren follow Ferrari's lead in changing livery

McLaren have followed Ferrari's lead and changed their car's livery for the Australian Grand Prix. Ferrari's 'Mission Winnow' and McLaren's 'A Better Tomorrow' branding – each with links to tobacco companies - have been removed in Melbourne, where the deals have come under scrutiny.

Ferrari has previously unveiled a special 90th anniversary livery to replace the Mission Winnow branding, which came under the spotlight of local health authorities over its links to Philip Morris.

McLaren also have a new tobacco sponsor for 2019 in the form of British American Tobacco.

In Melbourne, it emerged that BAT's "A Better Tomorrow" branding on the McLaren cars and overalls has been replaced by 7-Eleven.

Spain's Marca and AS sports newspapers say both Mission Winnow and A Better Tomorrow will be back on the Ferrari and McLaren cars respectively in Bahrain.

A BAT source said the company would study "the laws and regulations in the countries that host the grands prix".