The alliance of 57 public health bodies across 25 European countries added:
“[We are] deeply concerned of the heavy marketing exercise seen in Formula 1
and is therefore requesting an urgent change.”
Eurocare even claimed that F1 may already be in breach of several EU
directives, as they begin a concerted attempt to persuade the new European
Commission to ban alcohol advertising in sport.
The letter goes on: “Allowing alcohol sponsorship in Formula One seems to
contradict many official guidelines for the marketing of alcohol. It runs
against the EU Directive which states that marketing for the consumption of
alcohol should not be linked to driving.
“Moreover, the current association between alcohol and driving does not seem
to fall in the category of “the widespread promotion of responsible drinking
messages”, part of the mission supported by the alcohol industry itself.”
They will lobby questions in the European Parliament and hold an event there
on the subject next year. Eurocare have also invited David Ward – the bitter
former presidential rival of Todt – to speak at an upcoming conference,
which will no doubt ruffle a few feathers.
The FIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Copies of the
letter have also been sent to Bernie Ecclestone, F1’s chief executive, World
Health Organisation officials and various European Commissioners.
A ban on alcohol sponsorship would be disastrous for Formula One’s already
struggling teams. Force India, who are fighting to stay on the grid, would
be particularly hard hit. No major sponsor has entered the sport on an
hugely lucrative deal over the past two years, with money increasingly
tight.
France has already banned alcohol sponsorship, while a leaked Labour Party
document suggested they will look to do the same if they win power next May.