Renault boss shrugs off tobacco row

Renault F1 chairman Gerard Lopez has dismissed concerns that his Lotus-backed team's new black-and-gold livery could fall foul of anti-tobacco legislation.

The new R31 car harks back to the 1970s and 80s when Lotus won races with the likes of Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti and Ayrton Senna with cars painted in the colours of British tobacco brand John Player Special. The same Imperial Tobacco-owned brand is still marketed around the world now although it no longer has any commercial links with Formula One. That has led to suggestions, notably in the Canadian media, that Renault could be in breach of strict anti-tobacco advertising laws when they compete in the country because of the past association.

"Number one, we have no relationship with a tobacco company," Lopez told reporters after the team launch at Valencia's Ricardo Tormo circuit. "Even if we had had, there is another famous team racing around in a colour that is... very close to a cigarette manufacturer."

Ferrari is the only outfit still sponsored by a cigarette maker, Philip Morris's Marlboro brand. There is however no branding on the car or uniforms, other than the red-and-white colours.

"Black and gold is very simple. We just wanted something to be really classy and something to be iconic. When I was a kid my first pocket money went to buy a (toy) black-and-gold Formula One car," said Lopez. "That's the point. When I bought that car as a kid, and even as a teenager, it took me quite a while to understand back then the car had a sponsor that was a cigarette manufacturer. There is no interest in promoting anybody's brand. If someone has a problem with that, they essentially have a problem with a non-issue."

Lopez also poured scorn on rivals Team Lotus, who are locked in a legal dispute with Group Lotus over the use of the brand in Formula One.

The matter is due to be heard by the London High Court in March, after the Bahrain Grand Prix season-opener.

"The fact is, it's all about money," he said. "They stand to lose money if they change their name and they should be honest and just say that. It's a shame for the brand also. There is only one Lotus car company. Money is essentially the centrepiece of this. It's not passion, it's not taking over (Lotus founder) Colin Chapman's legacy."