Why Mission Winnow sponsorship is so ‘important’ for Ferrari

Jamie Woodhouse
Carlos Sainz's Ferrari against the No 3 marker board. Jeddah March 2022.

Carlos Sainz's Ferrari against the No 3 marker board after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Jeddah March 2022.

Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto spoke of the importance of retaining their partnership with Philip Morris International.

The association had looked in doubt during recent times, with Ferrari dropping the ‘Mission Winnow’ branding from their cars, title and sponsors list ahead of the 2022 season.

‘Mission Winnow’ is PMI’s initiative that served as the next evolution of their relationship with Ferrari, after Formula 1’s regulations surrounding tobacco advertising had brought an end to the long-standing Marlboro branding.

Binotto revealed though that the Ferrari-PMI partnership continues as Mission Winnow has returned as an official team partner under new terms.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, from above. Italy, April 2022.
A view of Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, from above at Imola. Italy, April 2022.

“It’s important to know that it has been a long partnership with Philip Morris, and we are very proud of it, and very happy that it’s still lasting,” Binotto told Motorsport.com.

“That was the intention of the two parties, because after so many years, it was important to stay together.

“Yes, it has changed a bit in the way the partnership is set up, without going into too many details.

“But in the end, it’s more important to make sure that it was continued.”

Ferrari has made a very strong start to the 2022 season, taking full advantage of the regulatory shake-up to claim two victories in the opening four races, courtesy of Charles Leclerc.

The Monegasque driver leads the way in the Drivers’ Championship with a buffer of 27 points over Max Verstappen.

Ferrari meanwhile are 11 points ahead of Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship.

However, the team are going into the first-ever Miami Grand Prix somewhat on the back foot after a nightmare showing on home soil at Imola, Carlos Sainz getting spun out on Lap 1 by Daniel Ricciardo, while Charles Leclerc slid off and clipped the wall while chasing Sergio Perez for P2, ultimately finishing P6.

Miami is the first of two United States-based races on the calendar, a market where Formula 1 is experiencing strong growth, while Ferrari too see this as an important market.

 

Binotto believes Formula 1 in general is in a very good place right now in terms of attracting sponsors.

Ferrari reunited with former long-time sponsor Santander ahead of the 2022 season, while Valas and Snapdragon also came onboard.

“There is a lot of interest in Miami, I think for us as well, the American market as Ferrari is an important one,” said Binotto.

“But we can see also for our sponsors, really the business overall of F1 is doing well right now. We are all very happy. I think it will be an enjoyable weekend and event.”

 

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