Jake Dennis is intending to use the No.1 in 2024, an option only he has for next season, having won the 2022/23 Formula E World Drivers’ Championship.
Being able to run No.1 instead of your traditional racing number is one of the perks which comes with being World Champion, a perk which Dennis is “probably” going to make full use of in season 10.
Dennis became the first British driver to win the all-electric series after finishing third in the opening race of the season finale double-header, which took place in London. It was a breathtaking race which left most on the edge of their seats, none more so than Avalanche Andretti owner, Michael Andretti.
P3 in the race was ultimately enough to wrap up the title with a race to go at the London E-Prix, allowing Dennis to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the final day of the season as World Champion.
Dennis arguably deserved the season nine crown, having been unbelievably fast all season, with him having started the Gen3 era of the sport by cruising to victory in the season-opener. He won in Mexico City by over eight seconds, which saw him immediately labelled as a title contender.
Two wins, two pole positions and a further nine podiums later, Dennis was rightfully crowned as season nine World Champion. His 11 podiums in 2023 saw him smash the record for most rostrums in a single season, making it difficult to argue that he wasn’t the deserving Champion.
He plans to defend his title next season with the No.1 on his car rather than his traditional No.27, which he has used in all three seasons of Formula E he’s competed in. Dennis recognises how “very rare” it is to be able to use the special number, with it being an opportunity he’s “never had”.
“I think I’ll probably ask to run number one next year,” Dennis revealed to Motorsport Week following the last race of the season.
“I think it’d be quite cool. It’s very rare it happens. And I’ve never had the opportunity to.”
Should Dennis continue with his plans and ask to use the No.1 in 2024, then he will join several former Formula E Champions to have done so. Formula E’s inaugural Champion, Nelson Piquet Jr., opted to run the number in season two, as did season three Champion Lucas di Grassi and season eight World Champion Stoffel Vandoorne.
Dennis will therefore become the fourth driver in Formula E history to use the number, as Sébastian Buemi (season two Champion), Jean-Éric Vergne (season four and five Champion), António Félix da Costa (season six Champion) and Nyck de Vries (season seven World Champion) decided to stick with their traditional racing number for their title-defending campaign.
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