Ferrari F2008 Livery change??

Question

Does anybody know why Ferrari launched the F2008 with the Marlboro-bar code sponsor logos on the front monochoc, side pods, rear wing etc, and from the Australian grand prix onwards got rid of them, especially on the monochoc

Answer 1

Probably because they looked stupid and g*y.  They should just return to using the old style where they fully displayed the logo's of the cigarette companies.  F1 seems a bit weird without those big Marlboro, West and other cigarette company logo's on the cars.  I don't know why they let Johnny Walker ads run all day but Marlboro can't even have their name written on their car properly.

Answer 2

Its because of the tobacco sponsorship rule.  It has to be limited and the tobbaco sponsored cars will be fully baned in 2010.  Im pretty sure they only let it at Bahrain, Monaco and China.  All the rest have it as bar coded.

Answer 3

It's all to do with sponsorship money and we all know that de Montezemolo will do (and has done) anything for money, regardless of how dishonest.  Marlboro owns all the advertising space so they do what they want - - your description sounds like it is to comply with advertising limitations against cigarettes.

Answer 4

GATORADE has answered for me.

Did you know you cannot even buy 1/12th scale models (in original livery)of cars that had tobacco branding.

Answer 5

All the different host nations of GPs have different Laws concerning tobacco advertising. In some countries there's a complete ban, some partial bans and some (very few though) don't give a stuff.

Big tobacco with have a small army of lawers thinking up subtle ways around the laws. It's well worth taking a look at the Liveries from Ferrari. They're a masterclass from Phillip Morris on how to  bend an advertising law.

The barcode was a particular success, it got all sorts of people including those who don't smoke trying to figure out what the connection to Marlboro was.