Formula 1: French Champagne out and Italian Sparkling Wine in!
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Italian sparkling wine will replace French champagne on the podium and in the Paddock Club, following the Italian winemaker, Ferrrari Trento, being appointed an official partner of F1.
Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of F1, in welcoming the appointment of Ferrrari Trento, remarked:
“Celebrating success is in both our DNA and having Ferrari Trento at the heart of the sport’s most iconic celebratory moment makes them such a natural partner for us.”
Matteo Lunelli, the CEO of Ferrari Trento, described the partnership with F1 as an “achievement” because:
“It demonstrates the renown and appeal that Ferrari Trento wines enjoy internationally.”
In those countries, where alcohol is prohibited, such as Bahrain, rosewater will continue to be used.
As one commentator has wryly observed, the switch from Champagne to Italian sparkling wine cannot have been made on cost saving grounds, as F1, to use a colloquial English saying, ‘is not short of a bob or two!’
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
