Ferrari has now formally confirmed that the new F1 car is the F150th Italia and not the F150, having been busy changing all references on the company website today.
Ferrari makes it clear that it does not agree with Ford’s viewpoint, and remarkably seems to claim that F150 was a sort of shorthand for the real name – the one that we heard for the first time today.
The statement, which will surely be held up as a shining example by PR lecturers for years to come, makes for entertaining reading:
On the subject of the name of the new Ferrari Formula 1 car, the Maranello company wishes to point out that it has sent a letter of reply to Ford, underlining the fact that the F150 designation (used as the abbreviated version of the complete name, which is Ferrari F150th Italia) never has, nor ever will be used as the name of a commercially available product – indeed there will definitely not be a production run of single-seaters.
In fact, it has always been the case in the history of Scuderia names, that they represent the nomenclature of a racing car project and are linked to a chronological order with a technical basis, or in exceptional cases, to special occasions. This year, the decision was taken to dedicate the car name to a particularly significant event, the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy, an event of such great importance that the Italian government has declared, for this year only, a national holiday.
For these reasons, Ferrari believes that its own contender in the forthcoming F1 championship cannot be confused with other types of commercially available vehicle of any sort whatsoever, nor can it give the impression that there is a link to another brand of road-going vehicle. Therefore it is very difficult to understand Ford’s viewpoint on the matter.
Despite this and to further prove it is acting in good faith and that it operates in a completely correct manner, Ferrari has decided to ensure that in all areas of operation, the abbreviated version will be replaced at all times with the full version, Ferrari F150 th Italia.
Adam Cooper F1 
And Ferrari takes the high road, once again.
So if Ferrari wins the Constructor’s Championship this year, will that have any effect on sales of the Ford F 150?
Which summaries rather nicely to “Oh go play in the traffic Ford, noone gives (*&^%$ what you think” 😀
Don’t understand the issue Ford has, the F150, if they had any cultural sensibility they would recognise that even at the press launch Di Montezemolo said that “it is named after the 150th year of Italy unifying”.
Seems like Ford are just a bunch of babies on this matter.
What load of blah blah blah…. they simply cannot EVER admit to scr£$ing up can they!….bit of history here as well…Ford vs Ferrari at Le Mans in the ’60’s…’old Henry came out on top then as well!
I find it so funny that there NEVER been any official or unofficial mentioning of the “full name” of the Ferrari car until NOW (after the lawsuit been publicly announced).
The usual Ferrari smoke and mirrors, what else did we expect. But must give it to them quick thinking on the name. Ohh let’s call it F150th Italia instead of just F150 that will kill it right off and lets pretend that was the name all along.
How can it be shorthand for F150th Italia when, until today, they haven’t mentioned that name anywhere ever? I can’t believe they honestly didn’t think this would happen immediately upon thinking F150.
Luca Di Montezomolo’s comments about the F150…(please don’t sue me Ford)
Q.
It’s paradoxical saying it, but calling a car today F150 and showing the Italian flag is a very strong signal. Don’t you fear that this might cost Ferrari some sympathy?
A.
Over the last 20 years we’ve always sported the Italian flag on the car. And personally I always thought that it is important. 2011 is the year we are even more Italian and we’re proud being it. When we’re listening to our national anthem after a victory of our country it’s always very emotional. I’m not talking about politics, we want to concentrate on sports. Just like many sportsmen are moved by competing for the Italian flag, we are happy to show it on our car. It’s the symbol of a winning Italy, united in sports. I want to add that it is an important signal for an Italian company, which is moving ahead with the deep conviction of being it.
Ford seem to have acted pathetically. There is no possibility oof an F1 car being confused with a truck of the same name. Even the HRT.
American copyright & trademark law pretty much forces this kind of thing as “vigorous defense” of your territory is mandated. Otherwise, some future (actual) violator could claim, “you let THEM get away with it” and have a valid argument.
I seriously doubt that anyone at Ford really thought that anyone could confuse the two but that’s the way it goes. Blame the lawyers.
Ferrari is, no doubt, fully aware of why Ford did this so their “we don’t understand Ford” line is total nonsense.
If Ford were to start marketing a new F458 pickup truck just how long do you think it would take for the Ferrari lawyers to file suit? Exactly.
The fact that it never occurred to anyone at Ferrari that this would be an issue speaks volumes, IMO.
Remember that back inthe olden days, Porsche was going to call their new car the ‘901’ but Peugeot already had a ‘901’ model and they objected. So you got the Porsche ‘911’ instead. Nothing new here, folks 🙂
Now you have the Ferrari 1/50th 🙂 🙂
//
Drat – I was just about to place an order with Ford for a F150 (a snip at $22k), and hope that a Ferrari F1 car got delivered…
Any publicity is good publicity. They’ll a few more trucks this week I’m sure.
“(…) never has, nor ever will be used as the name of a commercially available product – indeed there will definitely not be a production run of single-seaters.”
Ha, ha, thats says it all. I’m with Ferrari on this one.