“The bar code looks like the bottom half of a packet of Marlboro cigarettes. I was stunned when I saw it.”

John Britton, Royal College of Physicians
The Times, 29th April 2010

I, like many, wasn’t quite sure why it took so long for someone to notice. I mean, it’s been there for years. And, you know, it’s pointing out the obvious, isn’t it?

“Frankly, I find this argument completely pointless and it is verging on the ridiculous to claim that the colour red or a graphic design which shows a bar code could induce people to smoke.”

Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari
Ferrari.com, 3rd May 2010

Never keen on mincing their words, Ferrari‘s dismissal was characteristically flamboyant. Not exactly a convincing argument though.

“One might as well accuse Renault F1 [of] advertising wasps.”

Joe Saward
Joe Saward’s Grand Prix Blog, 30th April 2010

Funnily enough, Joe Saward’s argument against the connection between Marlboro and the barcode was better formed, and came earlier. Still not actually convincing, mind.

“Also, how come PM [Philip Morris] don’t own the bar code copyright when they’re running the same logo on their MotoGP Ducatis. That makes no sense.”

Adam Hay-Nicholls
Metro F1, 2nd May 2010

The Ducati MotoGP comparison is one of the most damning pieces of ‘evidence’, if you want to call it that. It’s well worth reading the whole article: it’s rather good.

“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.”

Ferrari
Ferrari.com, 6th May 2010

Another typically subtle statement from Ferrari. Not an admission of guilt though, honest. The problem as I see it, though, is that the barcode has been replaced by a red rectangle with a white border, and the same accusations can be levelled against that as the barcode.

Now we keep an eye on the factory Ducati MotoGP bikes, which we’ll see next in a couple of weeks in France. If the barcode is gone, then would that be an admission of guilt on the part of Philip Morris?