Why not too many sponsors/decals on the F2008 car?

I just watched practice sessions in Melbourne and the F2008 paint sceme looks so empty, specially at the rear wing. I'm sure Ferrari has deep pockets but sponsors are always nice to have.

 

I think it looks great. Check out this photo:

http://www.racefreaks.nl/images/550/rjegzpibunpicibungd.jpg

 

is there tobacco advertising this year? usually that rear wing was reserved for Marlboro, depending on the circuit and country.

 

So much better without all the advertising noise.

 

normally, they use a barcode even at the rear wing. but this time, i think the car really looks empty...

 

I thought that was outlawed this year. {The barcode}

 

why so? they're not advertising Marlboro.

 

As far as I recall that's the reason. Marlboro is the sponsor and the bar code represents them.

 

By not putting anything on the back wing, it'll probably generate more talk and publicity thus causing greater exposure for Ferrari and Marlboro. Plus, if Ferrari put anything else where the Marlboro stuff usually goes, I'm assuming that Marlboro wouldn't be too happy considering the vast amount of money that they contribute.

 

Good point. Its like having the Marlboro Logo there but not really there.

 

well, i remember that BAR had that 'look alike' decals on certain races, i think it's just a msg to the FIA. anyways, if i were Marlboro, just buy the whole car..settle the issue

 

The car looks bleak and boring without the Marlboro stickers. Can't wait for Bahrain when we see it again in all its beauty.

 

Ferrari is a racing car, not a billboard!
Enjoy it in all her red!

 

The team is officially called "Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro". Marlboro pays many hundreds of millions of dollars to the team. They deserve some recognition and respect. Without the Marlboro money they wouldn't be at the top of the game.

In the Schumacher era Marlboro paid his salary and probably now they're doing the same thing for Kimi.

 

This is just going off memory but I think the Marlboro deal was 900m over 10 years, ending in 09.

 

I thought it was different. More like recently renewed for 200 million over the next few years.

What is amazing is the loyalty Marlboro has to Ferrari. Even when the law prohibits sponsorship in most races, they are willing to support the team. That deserves respect and is one of the reasons I always put Marlboro stickers on my Ferrari models.

 

I actually like the barcodes far more than the Marlboro logos.... I dunno, I think I'm the only one though...

 

Eh, smoking sucks, and people who do it are stupid. If somebody else wanted to sponsor the team, I wouldn't care at all. I think the car looks better now that it doesn't remind me of some cigarette wall behind the counter of a convenience store.

Time keeps moving on.

Peter

 

I don't think having the Marlboro on the car made people want to smoke, but rather have people who are already smoking switch to Marlboro.

 

Marlboro paid c.$200million a year for the next 5-7 years (optioned after 5 I think) for lead team partner exclusivity. This means an affinity partnership with the team which is in place despite legislation restricting direct tobacco sponsorship in most countries except Bahrain, China (possibly) and maybe Singapore.

Philip Morris (owners of the Marlboro brand) knew exactly what they were getting into with this new deal. It's clever, and highly subliminal: the barcode is something that operates sub-consciously to associate with the tobacco brand's logo and brand mark, yet doesn't contravene the regulations. There's the obvious association with the colour which ties the Ferrari and Marlboro brands tightly, and I would think that Philip Morris leverage as much as they can on the corporate & B2B side of the arrangement with hospitality, and unique access to the team for events and promotions where permitted. All in all a good deal.

As for the lack of sponsors decals, this will in part be down to the terms of the Marlboro deal, which will enforce large areas of clear red space, and the fact that the rate card and terms & conditions of top teams like Ferrari restrict the number of 'partners' to give their brandmarks clear space for clarity on screen and in photography. By contrast, look at Force India's car, or for a stark contrast, the last real Minardi: festooned with logos, that most of us have never heard of. Now, who has the biggest budget in F1? The team with the fewest sponsors on the car - it's no coincidence...

 

from what i know they spent millions, renewing the deal with Ferrari till 2012.

 

I think Marlboro has spent over a billion sponsoring Ferrari in the last few years.

 

u might be true. IIRC, this current deal is worth about 400 mil.

 

Thank you for this very informative and non emotional statement. Much appreciated.

That is precisely the case. Sport sponsorship doesn't create smokers, but it raises brand awareness. Smoking in movie OTOH does create a stimulant to actually start smoking. Funny that no lawmakers go after that industry.

 

This is just here-say, so can someone confirm or disprove... I heard from a well respected friend of mine that the "bare" nose of the F2008 came from Kimi, who stipulated that it was a bit distracting with all the colors and logos. So if you notice, they do not have any logos in the area where the driver can see from out of the cockpit. Once the nose curves enough to be out of sight, there are big, bold logos. Also it is said that the clearcoat on the top of the nose is not as shiny as the rest of the car. Maybe its my mind playing tricks on me, but I did notice that on the tv coverage last night. That spot on the nose is more matte than the rest of the car. That to me gives my friend's statement validity, though I haven't snooped around looking for real hard evidence. It's enough to get a warrant though... Search Kimi's apartment. Bring him in for questioning (damnit... watching too much Law and Order...).


If what I said is true, that's pretty cool. Only Ferrari would cater to their drivers like that (or probably even encourage them to speak up about that sort of issue), imo, and that's why I love them.