SEPTEMBER 2, 2005

Jordan running branded at Monza

The Jordan team is running Sobranie branding on its cars at Monza, despite the European legislation which banned tobacco advertising in the European Union from August 1. Ferrari, BAR and Renault all decided that they will run unbranded this weekend at Monza but the first car out for the first session was Nicolas Kiesa's Jordan, his car emblazoned with Sobranie logos.

It is not clear how the team justifies this decision as no-one is willing to comment on the attitude towards tobacco advertising. Ferrari is running with the Marlboro stripes, BAR with the red roundel and Renault with Team Spirit replacing Mild Seven. We have heard that the teams have received a document from the Italian government saying that sponsorship can go ahead but clearly not everyone believes this is legally sound.