Ferrari removes barcode from livery

[John S]

Quick change of mind by Ferrari then.

Following speculation that the barcode on Ferrari's engine cover was 'subliminal advertising' for tobacco company Phillip Morris, courtesy of its Marlboro brand, the Italian team has elected to remove the area from its livery.

With tobacco sponsorship strictly forbidden in Formula 1, leading doctors have claimed that the Ferrari barcode logo is illegal as it subconsciously reminds smokers of a Marlboro cigarette packet although the team - which does have the Marlboro name in its official title - has strongly contested the claims.

However, the Maranello squad revealed on Thursday in Barcelona that it has now removed the pattern from its cars.

'Together with Philip Morris International we have decided to modify the livery of our cars starting with the Barcelona Grand Prix,' reads an official statement from the Scuderia.

This decision was taken in order to remove all speculation concerning the so-called 'bar code' which was never intended to be a reference to a tobacco brand.

By this we want to put an end to this ridiculous story and concentrate on more important things than on such groundless allegations.'

f1.gpupdate.net, Today

[Scott]

That took long enough.  Caught with their pants down, and now they're trying to pull them up.  If the bar code never had anything to do with Phillip Morris, then why did they decide 'together, with Phillip Morris' to modify their car?   

[Jericoke]

How gullible does the EU think that Europeans are?

"A bar code?  Must...    buy...    cigarettes...  "

[David]

The world is going mad. 

How can a bar code make anybody want to smoke, it's not usually the advertising that makes you feel like a smoke.

Ferrari Sponsers
Marlboro - Don't smoke 'em
Santander - Don't bank with 'em
Fait - Wouldn't drive one
Shell - Not many Shell garages in Ireland
Acer - I have a Dell
Etihad - Don't want to go to the middle east
Mubadala - ?????
Eurocar - OK I have used them but I only just found out they sponser Ferrari.

[markb]

That took long enough.  Caught with their pants down, and now they're trying to pull them up.  If the bar code never had anything to do with Phillip Morris, then why did they decide 'together, with Phillip Morris' to modify their car?   

That Scott ...to me says it all, and nothing to add really!

[Scott]

They're obviously still trying to play games.  I just saw a shot of it on

http://www.autosport.com/f1/

Framing their non-existant logo/bar code will only further remind us of what was.  Why can't they just find another sponsor???

[Williamsfan]

Yeah, agreed Scott.  They're just highlighting the fact the barcode isn't there.  They are playing mind games with the authorities.

[cosworth151]

Why can't they just find another sponsor???

There's a TV advert over here where Julia Louis-Dreyfus explains why she's doing the ad:

"Boat load of cash!"

The Times of London set it at $1 billion over 10 years. Yes, I do mean billion!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article7111124.ece

[Jericoke]

Why can't they just find another sponsor???

There's a TV advert over here where Julia Louis-Dreyfus explains why she's doing the ad:

"Boat load of cash!"

The Times of London set it at $1 billion over 10 years. Yes, I do mean billion!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article7111124.ece

$1 billion to NOT put their name on the car!?

What are they smoki.. oh, right.

Considering how few options they have to spend their advertising budgets, personally bringing people to a Ferrari event is just about the only thing they can do.  I can't see how they're getting their money's worth, but I guess I can't complain about them propping up F1, especially since their logo is nowhere to be seen.

[Williamsfan]

It is amazing they pay so much for so little now other than a 'known' association.  Did they not at one point though (not sure if still the case now) own the whole of the space on the car and then subsequently sell out their space to other sponsors?

[aazz]

At this year's Australian Grand Prix the Phillip Morris Corporate Suite was just to the side of the grand stand I was in. At the entry gate to the suite was a large Phillip Morris sign and just through the gate there were a heap of barriers to stop the general public looking in. On every one of those barriers was a large Malboro sign and beneath it the smaller barcode. I guess somewhere along the line Phillip Morris must be getting value for money, especially to be spending $1 billion over ten years. On me it seems to be working, I don't smoke, but every time I see the barcode on a Ferrari or Ducuti I think Malboro.

[cosworth151]

Ferrari's plot was much more subtle than that. It wasn't the bar code that was supposed to remind people of ciggies. It's the smoke that keeps pouring out of the back of the car! 

[John S]

Ferrari's plot was much more subtle than that. It wasn't the bar code that was supposed to remind people of ciggies. It's the smoke that keeps pouring out of the back of the car! 

   

[Ian]

LOL, that'll upset a couple or more on here Cos.   

[Williamsfan]

Brilliant one Cos