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Ferrari has axed the barcode from its Formula 1 cars after the team was accused of using the symbol as “subliminal” tobacco advertising.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo had previously labelled claims the barcode was a link to long-time sponsor Philip Morris, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, as “ridiculous”.

But the team’s cars will not feature the black and white symbol at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix following pressure from medical experts.

A Ferrari statement said: “Together with Philip Morris International, we have decided to modify the livery of the cars, starting with the Spanish Grand Prix. The 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.”