Stake F1 will not be racing under its usual name at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, because of advertising laws in the Netherlands.
The issue is with their title sponsor, Stake, an online gambling company, which cannot be promoted under Dutch regulations.
The team, officially called Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, usually goes by Stake F1, but they have no choice but to use a different name for the Zandvoort weekend.
Earlier this year, the Netherlands brought in stricter rules around advertising by online gambling companies. These rules ban gambling sponsorships during sports events and on athletes’ clothing.
This means Stake F1 must change its name temporarily, and sponsor Kick will be given more visibility on the cars during the race.
It’s not the first time the team has faced this problem. Last year, the Dutch Gambling Authority also warned the team about using the Stake name, although they still raced with it then.
A similar name change has already happened this season, when Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto raced under a different name at the Belgian Grand Prix.
The timing of the issue is frustrating for the team, as they’ve been performing well lately. Stake F1 are currently seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, just one point behind Aston Martin.
Both drivers have had good results recently. Hulkenberg earned his first F1 podium at Silverstone, and Bortoleto came sixth in Hungary.
