Drivers could soon be assigned a permanent number for their entire Formula 1 career in a move which has gained support from team principals and is due to be discussed at the next F1 Strategy Group meeting.
At present, drivers are awarded a number based on where their team finished in the championship*. For example, Sebastian Vettel will sport the number ‘1’ on his car next season after he finished first, whilst Daniel Ricciardo will wear the number ‘2’. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will be ‘3’ and ‘4’ respectively as Mercedes finished second to Red Bull, whilst Hamilton beat Rosberg.
Whilst that system works, it can cause confusion as drivers change numbers quite often and it means fans and commentators must quickly learn the new order to help them recognise a driver on track.
Under the new system, which will be debated on December 9th and could be implemented as soon as next year if passed and then ratified by the World Motor Sport Council, a driver will be assigned a number for their entire F1 career.
The numbers could be assigned by the FIA, or they could be chosen by a driver if available.
The system has the backing of several team principals as not only does it make a driver easier to identify, it could be beneficial for marketing purposes too.
The FIA’s Charlie Whiting would be tasked with making the process fair and ensuring a driver with a lower number isn’t given an advantage – as at present, a cancelled qualifying session would be decided on a numerical basis.
Bigger numbers will also be discussed at the meeting, with concerns they are too small to spot on television. However, this doesn’t have much support from the teams, as it could potentially reduce the areas designated for sponsor decals, but it does have the backing of Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt.
*The number ‘1’ is always reserved for the champion regardless of where the team finishes.
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