Name Changes of Formula 1 Content Creators and the Reasons Behind Them

Formula 1 Content Creators’ Name Changes and Possible Reasons

Recently, Formula 1-focused content creators on the internet have started to change their names. However, they seem reluctant to provide explanations regarding this matter. It appears that the reason behind these changes is Formula 1 itself, which is known for sending cease and desist warnings to accounts that generate revenue using its brand.

Among those who have changed their names is the F1 fan podcast Paddock Project. This podcast, previously known as F1r the Girls, stated that their new name reflects “where we are and where we are going” and announced that they have not received any cease and desist or withdrawal letters. Additionally, popular F1 personality Mikaela Kostaras, (formerly known as “shelovesf1” and now “shelovesvrooms”), indirectly implied that she received a cease and desist order by sharing a video asking her audience to “imagine” that they could not give their tickets to others. While responding to a viewer’s comment in the video, she used the phrase, “There is a reason why everyone is rebranding right now, and it’s not just for fun.”

F1 commentator Toni Cowan-Brown stated in a video that she has heard “rumblings” about cease and desist orders over the past six months. Cowan-Brown mentioned that Formula 1 targets those who “use F1 in their branding and profit from it” and also monitors content creators who act as if they are in some way affiliated with the organization. She compared this situation to the NBA’s approach. The NBA prefers not to sue those who publish NBA content on the internet, even if it contains actual footage from games. In fact, NBA commissioner Adam Silver emphasized in a previous statement that “most of the in-game scenes are advertisements for themselves,” indicating that they will not attempt to remove such content.