Formula 1 allegedly utilized the registered phrases of the Indy500 while promoting its races in the United States on multiple occasions.
Stefano Domenicali (via IMAGO), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (via IMAGO).
puts on an extravagant show for fans worldwide to enjoy the race weekends. Particularly, the American weekends are executed with grandeur. The abundance of sponsors from the American continent and the influx of new fans are among the main factors contributing to increased American participation in the sport.
Therefore, during the advertisements for the inaugural event, Formula 1 employed Indy500’s statement “The Greatest Racing spectacle on the planet.” The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is owned by Hulman and Co., had legally protected the statement for the iconic track in . Consequently, F1’s use of the statement for their own benefit without considering Indy500’s rights prompted a reaction from the track owners.
F1 not only used the statement once, but on two separate occasions to promote the race weekends. The Rapper referred to the pinnacle of motorsport as ‘The greatest racing spectacle on the planet’ during the drivers’ introduction at the .
Furthermore, in the lead-up to the 2024 Formula 1 season, an ESPN broadcaster referred to F1 as “The greatest spectacle in motorsports.” This once again sparked a response from IMS president , who expressed dissatisfaction and commented on the entire situation caused by Formula 1. Boles mentioned that it was disappointing how others couldn’t establish their own identity in the world of motorsports.
We are aware of the use of our mark in what appears to be a broadcast promotional spot. We will once again address it with the appropriate individuals and are prepared to take all necessary measures to protect our brand’s intellectual property. It is continually disheartening that others cannot establish their own brand identity without infringing upon ours.
The IMS president expressed dissatisfaction with the entire matter and criticized Formula 1 for using the registered statement multiple times. However, Boles’ comments were completely unexpected and unprofessional. Consequently, the president subsequently deleted the post where he shared his thoughts on the infringement by Formula 1.
Following this, Boles issued a public apology and stated that the use of the phrase was an ‘honest mistake’ on the part of Formula 1. However, the 55-year-old acknowledged that if Formula 1 were to continue using the quotes to their advantage without acknowledging Indy500’s trademarks, then the two entities would have to discuss the situation.
Nevertheless, Formula 1 is gearing up for the upcoming challenges in the 2024 season with a fully-packed 24-race calendar. The first race is just a week away and excitement levels among fans are soaring for the season. The teams are also preparing to deliver thrilling racing action to the fans throughout the season, with everyone vying for the world championship trophy.