F1 team forced to change name before Australian Grand Prix after ban introduced
A FORMULA ONE team will be forced to change its name this weekend due to strict advertising laws in Australia.
The Stake F1 team will be renamed Kick Sauber at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
Formerly Alfa Romeo, the team was rebranded to Stake earlier this year after a two-year sponsorship deal was struck with the online betting company.
However, strict rules in Australia prohibit gambling advertising during live sport on both broadcasting and online platforms between 5:00am and 8:30pm.
That means the team’s other main sponsor, Kick, will take over naming rights for the weekend.
The team will become Kick Sauber this weekend and in Spain, Belgium and Qatar later this year.
Following the first two races of the year, Kick Sauber are one of four teams yet to score any points.
Pit stop issues have prevented Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas from breaking into the top 10 so far this season.
Both drivers have voiced concerns about the issue ahead of this weekend’s race.
Bottas said: “We haven’t fixed the issue 100 per cent because there’s a lead time for certain components and materials that we need, but I think we should be in a better place and I’ll have more confidence coming into the pits this weekend.
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“Fingers crossed everything goes smooth and hopefully that way we can have clean races and fight for points.”
Zhou added: “I think it was clear we need to redesign the whole equipment system for the pit stop crew.
“Of course, unfortunately, we can’t really redesign right now but we are already making a few adjustments on the wheel nut and the wheel guns and making sure the issue is solved. Fingers crossed we can get it all going.
“I think we seem to have good race craft as a team, we just need to clean up a little bit the weekend.
“Obviously the pit stop is the key. Love the track, love the place, the fans and the atmosphere is always one of the best of the year, so really happy and enjoyable coming to Melbourne.”
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