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HOCKENHEIM, Germany - Automaker Hyundai was apparently behind the complaint about Nico Rosberg's proposed wearing of a special soccer World Cup-themed crash helmet for the 2014 German Formula 1 GP.
At least that's the belief off Germany's Auto Motor and Sport on the day the German driver was reportedly instructed to change his celebration helmet because it included an image of the famous World Cup trophy.
The world football federation, Fifa, contacted Rosberg's camp to say the helmet "was an unauthorised reproduction of its intellectual property".
'OUR STAR'
Rosberg told Twitter followers the news was "a shame, but of course I respect the legal situation".
He's replaced the trophy image with a simple star and told reporters at Hockenheim that the fuss left him surprised. "The World Cup as a trademark - these are the kind of things you have to think of. It's amazing. I've replaced it with a big star and nobody can take that away.
"The star is ours!"
A Fifa spokesman confirmed Thursday's (July 17 2014) news but Auto Motor and Sport alleged here was another complainant behind the story - Hyundai. Rosberg drives for Mercedes but the affiliation between the World Cup and an automaker was promised exclusively to Hyundai, the series' official sponsor.
Indeed, Mercedes made clear its delight with Germany's World Cup win on Thursday with a huge message on its F1 motor home, reading "Das Beste" and congratulating the German football team on its "title win".
But no mention was made of the World Cup or its protected marks.
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 German GP this weekend.
At least that's the belief off Germany's Auto Motor and Sport on the day the German driver was reportedly instructed to change his celebration helmet because it included an image of the famous World Cup trophy.
The world football federation, Fifa, contacted Rosberg's camp to say the helmet "was an unauthorised reproduction of its intellectual property".
'OUR STAR'
Rosberg told Twitter followers the news was "a shame, but of course I respect the legal situation".
He's replaced the trophy image with a simple star and told reporters at Hockenheim that the fuss left him surprised. "The World Cup as a trademark - these are the kind of things you have to think of. It's amazing. I've replaced it with a big star and nobody can take that away.
"The star is ours!"
A Fifa spokesman confirmed Thursday's (July 17 2014) news but Auto Motor and Sport alleged here was another complainant behind the story - Hyundai. Rosberg drives for Mercedes but the affiliation between the World Cup and an automaker was promised exclusively to Hyundai, the series' official sponsor.
Indeed, Mercedes made clear its delight with Germany's World Cup win on Thursday with a huge message on its F1 motor home, reading "Das Beste" and congratulating the German football team on its "title win".
But no mention was made of the World Cup or its protected marks.
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 German GP this weekend.