Formula 1 is about to undergo a massive technical challenge with the introduction of the 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged “power unit” era. There are new aerodynamic regulations for the teams to master as well. So you’d think they’d be spending every waking moment preparing for the 2014 season. But no, they’re focusing on the really big issue of driver numbers!
The theory is drivers using permanent numbers will provide teams with better merchandising and sponsorship opportunities. Following a similar approach to MotoGP, the world champion could still use number 1 the following year.
This frighteningly crucial issue was first tabled by the teams during October’s F1 Strategy Group meeting and Charlie Whiting has been asked to add the revised numbering system into the regulations. The Strategy Group next meets on 9 December and its expected a final decision will be made then.
Since 1996 a driver’s number is based on the championship standing of the team in the previous year, with the world driver’s champion always carrying number 1. As it currently stands we will see Sebastian Vettel in car 1 next year, with new teammate Daniel Ricciardo with 2. As the second placed constructor Mercedes AMG will have numbers 3 and 4. The accepted practice is the driver finishing higher in the championship will get the lower number, which means we can expect Lewis Hamilton to race with number 3 and Nico Rosberg with number 4.
But it looks like that will all change. Which begs the question of who will get what number and how will drivers resolve a dispute in the case of wanting the same number?
More importantly, could we see number 13 used for the first time since 1976?
The number 27 has an association with Australian motorsport having been used by Alan Jones when he won the 1980 F1 world championship, and it was also used by Mick Doohan and Casey Stoner in top line motorcycle racing.
As you can tell we think this story is a load of lightweight fluff. Perhaps we’re wrong and it is actually important to the sport. Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
6 replies on “F1 teams want permanent numbers for drivers”
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#1 shaped like a FINGER would be pretty appropriate for next year then.
This is good news for the teams for raising more cash from sponsorship and merchandise, hopefully some of them will be smart enough to dispatch somebody off to a few NASCAR races to see how it’s done.
It would be strange for F1 to associate the numbers with the drivers rather than the team though, given how everything except entries in record books is owned by the teams.
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