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The most successful F1 team in recent history has been criticised for a new partnership with Kingspan, one of the firms that made insulation for the cladding used in Grenfell Tower.
The move has been condemned by the Grenfell survivors group, who described it as “truly shocking”.
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said he was “deeply disappointed” by the news.
Kingspan said that its product only made around 5% of the materials used in the cladding and that this was used without its consent.
According to the BBC, Kingspan’s K15 insulation was one of the products installed on Grenfell Tower during its refurbishment, though the majority of the insulation was made by another company.
The disaster ultimately took the lives of 72 people.
The inquiry into how flammable cladding was used in Grenfell Tower is still ongoing.
Previous tests on the cladding used in the tower found that the material burned “like a raging inferno”.
The decision is particularly controversial for Mercedes driver and reigning F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, who has previously shown support for the Grenfell tower survivors.
On the third anniversary of the tragedy, he tweeted:
“Today marks three years since the horrific Grenfell Tower fire in London. Remembering the 72 souls we lost and their loved ones, and everyone affected by this tragedy. #justiceforgrenfell.”
Nabil Choucair, who lost six family members in the fire, said:
“I am very disappointed that someone who says he supports us, wants to advertise Kingspan, who contributed to the loss of innocent lives.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Woolf was sent a letter from the Grenfell survivors, stating:
“Kingspan played a central role in inflicting the pain and suffering that we feel today, and there must be a degree of public censure for Kingspan’s recklessness and carelessness for human life.”
Upon the announcement of the deal, Toto Wolff said he was “delighted to welcome Kingspan to our team”.
As it stands, both Mercedes F1 cars will display Kingspan logos on their livery in the F1 grand prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this weekend.
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