Ferrari drops 'Mission Winnow' from team name

Ferrari has dropped 'Mission Winnow' from its official name for 2019. The move, not announced publicly but clear from the latest version of the FIA entry list, follows speculation Ferrari is in the spotlight for reportedly clandestine cigarette advertising.

'Mission Winnow' is the new message from Ferrari's main sponsor Philip Morris, who make Marlboro cigarettes – long-term Scuderia sponsors in their glory days with Michael Schumacher in the early 2000s.

"We know that many have doubts about us and our motivations," Andre Calantzopoulos, Philip Morris CEO, told La Repubblica newspaper.

"But with Mission Winnow, we want the world to know the change we have done and our dedication to rigorous science and innovation that leads us to a better future."

The move comes after Melbourne's The Age newspaper said an investigation has been launched in Australia ahead of the 2019 season opener in Melbourne.

The investigations are being carried out by the federal health department, the Victorian state equivalent, and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

"It (Mission Winnow) has nothing to do with F1 cars, that's for sure," said Australian anti-smoking campaigner John Cunningham.

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