Following the introduction of the new Formula 1 logo last year, both drivers and fans didn't waste time voicing their thoughts on the new look.

One fan shared his opinion on social media, saying the new logo was 'too elongated' and 'unbalanced'.

He said: "I'm not a big fan of the new F1 logo to be honest. It's way too elongated, unbalanced and has no speed tied to it at all.

"The prior logo was memorable with the negative space and speed lines which makes it more relatable to *that* crowd."

But since the start of the 2018 championship, fans started to forget about the new logo and started to focus on the returning action.

Well that all changed on Tuesday night, after it emerged that Formula One could be prevented from using the new logo unless it pays a fee to stationery company 3M.

The new F1 logo, which changed in November, was designed to reflect a 'new era' under new owners Liberty Media, who bought the sport for a massive £6bn at the start of the year.

It replaced the previous logo, which was made up from a silhouette of a number one between a slanted letter ‘F’ and the speed lines opposite it and featured on all mentions of the sport for 23 years.

When unveiled at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, reigning champion Lewis Hamilton said: “I don’t think the new one is as iconic.”

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel added: “I liked the old one better"

F1 logo attracts more unwanted attention

The new logo has now got the attention of 3M as it bears a striking resemblance to the brand which has been used for the past year on its 'Futuro' range of therapeutic clothing.

The F1 logo is also used on clothing, which has lead it on a collision course with 3M, who have already got an advantage.

That's because records from the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) show that 3M applied for a pan-European trademark to its logo on February 17, 2017 and registered four months later.

This means that 3M will get priority as F1 didn’t make an application for its new logo until November.

Although F1’s trademark application covers 26 of the total 45 categories which logos can be registered in, including the one for clothing, but excluding the one relating to therapeutic clothing which 3M’s mark is registered in.

However, even though the categories are different, it doesn’t guarantee F1 protection because the products that the logos are used on are similar.

What this essentially means is that the red light could be given to the clothing range featuring the new F1 logo - but it doesn't end there. That's because the opposition from 3M says that it covers all categories that F1's application covers because "there exists a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public."

If 3M's opposition is upheld, then this would mean that F1 could apply to appeal - although if an appeal isn't successful, then 3M could take the route towards sueing F1.

To avoid the chaos this could cause, F1 might decide to approach 3M and offer a payment to the rights of the logo. However, this could come at a high cost for the sport as 3M is a manufacturing giant, with a revenue of £23.8bn.

There's also the fact that 3M might not be looking for payment from Formula One as their ultimate end game might be to stop the sport from using their logo and with a decision from EUIPO fast approaching, it's only a race against time for F1.