Marlboro

FrankJH · 4 May 2010 at 22:06

Or are we just being synical

Personally always thought it was obviously Marlboro - but as long as it isnt actually stated its impossible to prove one way or another

Loved the Jordan's with Bitten & Hisses and Buzzin Hornets, but never saw the McLaren East

Sukh · 4 May 2010 at 22:28

I thought it was obvious somehow, can't believe they have only picked up on it now!

asim18 · 4 May 2010 at 22:37

NathanE said:
Plausible deniability isn't it.

Seriously who here thinks Ferrari and Ducati, two of the biggest and most commercialised teams in their respective sports, would "waste" huge spaces of advertising space on a pointless red/white/black barcode?

I do. And the barcode does signify sponsorship from Marlboro.

englishpremier · 4 May 2010 at 23:27

The barcode is not a malboro logo, trade mark anything else. In that regard there is nothing any of the sport's governing bodies can do.

There is nothing the EU can do, or any local authorities. Just like in days when McLaren ran East.

Lakeland · 4 May 2010 at 23:30

englishpremier said:
The barcode is not a malboro logo, trade mark anything else. In that regard there is nothing any of the sport's governing bodies can do.

There is nothing the EU can do, or any local authorities. Just like in days when McLaren ran East.

Isn't there a ban on subliminal advertising though?

englishpremier · 5 May 2010 at 08:31

Yes but to prove subliminal advertising would be difficult. Easier if there was some sort of hidden picture or message in the barcode, which there doesn't appear to be.

I think it will blow over.

DBT85 · 5 May 2010 at 08:45

It's obviously something as you just wouldnt waste that space unless you were getting money for it.

Were there an investigation and someone found mention of Marlboro and that design in an email or something I would imagine Ferrari would get in serious trouble.

englishpremier · 5 May 2010 at 18:37

Ferrari have a commercial deal with Malboro but that does not extend to car sponsorship.

Until is proven in a court of law, there is no problem with it and no-one can take any action.

So as it hasn't been proven yet, it is not sponsorship or tobacco advertising. Of course if proven, then there would be massive penalties.

Flibster · 5 May 2010 at 19:15

englishpremier said:
Ferrari have a commercial deal with Malboro but that does not extend to car sponsorship.

Except their team name is Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro - Sounds like sponsorship to me.

Why would they allow their team name to be taken by someone who isn't giving them a chunk of loose change?

Westyfield2 · 5 May 2010 at 19:58

NathanE said:
Have they seriously only just noticed?

Eh? Even I've known this since the barcode was first used by Ferrari!

englishpremier · 5 May 2010 at 20:44

Again, it hasn't been proven anything is wrong whatsoever.

Malt_Vinegar · 5 May 2010 at 23:54

I would imagine any long term fans would have known the link.

It is fairly clear they are related, its just (as others have said) very odd they have only just picked up on it.

Whatever agreement Ferrari and Marlboro have about the car codes, you can be darn sure it will not be written anywhere, and if it was, it will have now been destroyed. Its quite simply the Elephant in the room in F1

Flibster · 6 May 2010 at 17:03

Apparently Ferrari have removed the barcode from their cars just in time for this weekend.

Malt_Vinegar · 6 May 2010 at 17:12

Just seen the first pics..Thats going to look a bit odd!

DBT85 · 6 May 2010 at 17:12

look like it http://www.motorsport-total.com/bilder/2010/100506/z1273154405.jpg

though it could well still appear. it'll be interesting to see if anyone mentions it over the weekend, talking about it only makes it worse lol. Wonder if they were told to remove it...

Flibster · 6 May 2010 at 17:18

Malt_Vinegar said:
Just seen the first pics..Thats going to look a bit odd!

If they get rid of the white box it's look better.

A statement issued by the team said: "Together with Philip Morris International we have decided to modify the livery of our cars starting with the Barcelona Grand Prix."

But you have previously said it had nothing to do with Philip Morris and was your own design? But as you've had to deal with them about it - then it must have been related to them.

Malt_Vinegar · 6 May 2010 at 17:22

Flibster said:
If they get rid of the white box it's look better.

A statement issued by the team said: "Together with Philip Morris International we have decided to modify the livery of our cars starting with the Barcelona Grand Prix."

But you have previously said it had nothing to do with Philip Morris and was your own design? But as you've had to deal with them about it - then it must have been related to them.

I just read the article, and thought the same thing!

Are they taking the pee?

DBT85 · 6 May 2010 at 17:24

from autosport

"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.

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

And why would they need to ask Philip Morris about removing it? its just a design? o rite...

englishpremier · 6 May 2010 at 17:37

I reckon they are going to change it to a a white V with a square bottom. Hmm what will that look like with the red of the car filling in the gaps. hehe

JRS · 6 May 2010 at 18:50

Well, they were pretty much between a rock and a hard place there. It was obvious that keeping the barcode was going to fan the flames and cause a massive distraction. But by removing it they've pretty much admitted that it was tobacco sponsorship.

Ah well. I now return you to your scheduled FerrariBashing™.

***edit***

Ooh, here's a point. Are they going to make them change the shade of red they use? After all, it's Marlboro red these days rather than the older, more scarlet shade that they ran.

Marlboro red is just as much subliminal advertising as a ******* barcode....