• Spanish Grand Prix

Ferrari ditches controversial barcode livery

ESPNF1 Staff
May 6, 2010 « Senna expresses doubts over Friday driver | »
Ferrari's new livery © Ferrari
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Ferrari has modified its livery amid accusations that the barcode on its car's engine cover was acting as subliminal tobacco sponsorship, banned in Formula One.

This week Ferrari fervently denied its red and white striped livery was designed to look like the Marlboro branding of its major sponsorship partner Philip Morris. However, ahead of Friday practice for the Spanish Grand Prix it revealed it would be running the outline of a white rectangle on its car instead.

"Together with Philip Morris International we have decided to modify the livery of our cars starting with the Barcelona Grand Prix," a statement on the team's website read. "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."

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