The European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare) published a report last week which suggested fan exposure to alcohol brands in F1 was excessive.

It added F1's sponsorship practices went against the spirit of the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive.

"The amount of alcohol related exposure in F1 settings is extreme by anyone's standards," said Mariann Skar, Secretary General in Eurocare.

"We now urge the involved bodies in F1 to move away from alcohol sponsorship."

But Todt insists alcohol advertisement has nothing to do with the FIA, and that each individual country must be responsible for making sure it educates people about the risks of drinking and driving.

"The use of advertising for alcohol is not linked to the FIA. It's linked to each singular country. I'm completely against and advocating against drinking and driving, but each country needs to make his own job," Todt told ABC.

"You cannot ban alcohol — it is not possible. You can educate people not to drink and drive.

"And what I'm urging alcohol companies to do is to participate in funding to educate people and discourage people driving when they are drinking.

"So we are working very closely on that because we know it is an essential topic to be addressed."

Currently three Formula 1 teams are sponsored by alcohol companies: Force India, McLaren and Williams.