Is the new Lotus Renault GP livery about to go up in smoke?

At the recent Autosport International event the newly named Lotus Renault GP team revealed their 2011 livery. Of course, the new paint job is a definite link back to the John Player Special cigarette advertising so heavily featured on Lotus F1 machines back in the 1970s. With many governments across the globe now having strict tobacco laws, which prevent any advertising or glorification of smoking, will the new look Lotus-Renault face any issues?

Well, as it happens they just might. A recent report states Canadian authorities have banned Imperial Toboacco, owners of JPS, from using gold and black colours on their own website; so strongly is the connection between the colour scheme and the John Player Special brand.

On the surface, then, Lotus-Renault could be in a spot of bother. But, this is F1 and as the old saying goes, money talks and…

Mind, given the British car company, owned by a Malaysian car company, sponsoring the F1 team bearing the name of French car company has already stolen the plans of the other Lotus team, then, maybe this possible controversy is a mild dose of karma.

[Source: Yahoo Sport UK | Pic: F1 Fanatic]