Pressured Ferrari remove bar code branding

6 May, 2010

Marlboro's bar code branding has been replaced with the design pictured above

May 6 (GMM) Ferrari’s 2010 car no longer features a controversial ‘barcode’ livery on its engine cover.

The Italian team last week angrily rejected reports the signage was subliminal advertising for its tobacco sponsor Philip Morris.

Even Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo slammed the suggestion, insisting the claims were “ridiculous”.

But in the team’s Barcelona pit garage on Thursday, the barcode was gone, replaced by a white rectangle with a red background.

However, the clothing worn by team members including drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa in Spain still features the barcode.

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro said the decision to remove the signage from the livery of the F10 was made “together with Philip Morris International”.

“This decision was taken in order to remove all speculation concerning the so-called ‘barcode’ which was never intended to be a reference to a tobacco brand,” added the team.

On the eve of the Spanish Grand Prix the Maranello team released the following statement:

“Together with Philip Morris International we have decided to modify the livery of our cars starting with the Barcelona Grand Prix.

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.”

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5. Ferrari rejects illegal Marlboro branding claims