Why doesn't IndyCar's Team Penske have the "Barcode" Marlboro logo like Ferrari does in F1?

Question

I know their livery is like the Marlboro liveries of old, but the barcode would look MUCH better on the sidepods, wings, etc, than "Team Penske", imho.

Answer 1

I think that it's because that the red and white chevron style paint scheme is so associated with the Marlboro brand that the name doesn't need to be displayed or even implied in the paintwork for most people to know that the car is sponsored by Marlboro.

Answer 2

The reason is that the EU law is worded differently from the US law, I think. In the EU not just the product name is banned, you aren't allowed symbols associated with tobacco advertising either; that means no Joe Camel, no Marlboro cowboy or chevron, no Lucky Strike roundel (even with the words removed from it).

Even though everybody knows that the barcode = Marlboro, it isn't used on packaging or in any advertising linked to the brand name, so it isn't illegal, even if it isn't within the spirit of the law.

Answer 3

I would say down to copyright, as Ferrari F1 already do this as I expect you know.

I quite like the logo, does remind me of an old Mclaren.

Answer 4

I wanna see the flourescent red and white Marlboro scheme on one of Penskes Nascar cars.  That would be awesome!!  That scheme has been around for decades and is beautiful.

Answer 5

In late 2005 Penske announced Marlboro would leave the IRL because of the tobacco ad ban. They officially left in 2007 but the team kept the paint scheme for historical reasons.

So they are no longer (at least officially) sponsored by Marlboro. Their only main sponsors are now Kodak and Mobil

I wonder if Marlboro is secretly paying them to keep that livery though...

"...Team Penske announced primary sponsor Marlboro, which had been a sponsor with Team Penske since the 1989 Indianapolis 500, and primary sponsor of all Team Penske IndyCars since 1991, would not appear on the cars any longer in accordance with the MSA. Since 2007, the IndyCar Series cars have carried "Team Penske" insignia and joint sponsorship from Mobil 1 and Kodak."

Answer 6

In the United States Tobacco sponsorship in motor sports is allowed, but only in one racing series at any time. White Penske (IRL) is sponsored by Marlboro when Ferrari (F1)comes to the United States to race they are not allowed to display there Marlboro livery.

But in the same respect Mclaren Mercedes was sponsored by "WEST" also a tobacco manufacturer was allowed to run the"WEST" livery because no one else in the United States is sponsored by "WEST". I believe the same is true for "Lucky Strike" which sponsored Honda and "Mild Seven" who sponsored Renault.