Ford apologizes for ads showing F1 drivers and Kardashian sisters bound and gagged in car trunk

An sinister-looking advertising campaign for Ford's Figo has caused outrage after posters for the compact sedan were uploaded to the Internet featuring famous personalities — including Formula One driver Michael Schumacher behind the wheel of the car, smiling with glee while his racing rivals Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are bound, gagged and suffering in the vehicle's trunk.

Other celebrities drawn in the ad campaign include a lookalike of TV starlet Paris Hilton winking while she looks down on three women who resemble Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian stuffed into the trunk with their mouths taped shut and hands tied . Hmmm. Create you own punchline now.

A third illustration has former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (what?) flashing the peace sign over the bound bodies of three scantily-clad women — presumably prostitutes — lie in the trunk.

The offensive drawings were apparently supposed to promote the sedan's spacious cargo area but after the ads were released on the Internet, there was an uproar.

 Ford issued an apology and disciplined the creative team, JWT India, for publicizing the artwork.

Although the print artwork was never meant to be circulated in publications, the mock ups were posted to the Ads of the World website and created a stir.

In a statement, JWT said they "deeply regret the publishing of posters that were distasteful and contrary to the standards of professionalism and decency within WPP Group.

These were never intended for paid publication and should never have been created, let alone uploaded to the Internet. This was the result of individuals acting without proper oversight and appropriate actions have been taken within the agency where they work to deal with the situation."

Ford said the posters were out of line and should never have been posted.

By the way, Schumacher races for Mercedes.