The origins of French blue in motor racing date back to the year 1904. Until then, racing cars were painted black and bore simple numbers often accompanied by a letter to identify each driver. It was difficult to tell them apart, and each participating nation was therefore assigned a color. Blue was attributed to France in reference to the blue coat of the kings. The legend tells that Ettore Bugatti's wife insisted that it be the same tone as the cigarette packs she liked.