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Ferrari's Formula One racing team will go back to its previous name - to Scuderia Ferrari as they prepare to celebrate their first world championship win 60 years ago. But still the contract extends till 2015.
The Italian racing team was previously officially listed as Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.
Sixty years ago on July 14th, Ferrari won its first ever world championship when Argentinean driver Froilan Gonzalez took victory at Silverstone. After 60years, they won again in Silverstone that brings their first victory of the 2011 Season.
Since then Ferrari has recorded 216 victories in Formula One World Championship, the latest one coming when current Spanish racer Fernando Alonso drove to victory in the British Grand Prix and, quite fittingly at the Silverstone as well.
Ferrari communications manager admitted to Pitpass that the name change was due to criticism they kept receiving from anti-tobacco campaign groups for their continued association with Phillip Morris, the Marlboro brand manufacturer.
"Phillip Morris and Ferrari have responded to recent concerns regarding the official Ferrari team name and have decided, effective immediately and worldwide, that "Marlboro" will no longer be part of the team name," he said.
"Whilst we do not agree with the concerns raised, our decision has been taken in line with our history of responsiveness on similar issues and avoid what would likely be an unnecessary and unproductive debate"
After the ban of tobacco in Formula One, Ferrari had to remove the Marlboro name from basically everywhere in the racing team, but tobacco company contined to support the team.
The Marlboro name on the wing of the Ferrari F1 cars were replaced with a barcode, but even that was removed last year after complaints it represented the tobacco brand's logo, the Maranello outfit denying the claim.
How exactly Philip Morris will continue their multi-million dollar association with Ferrari remains to be seen.
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