F1 driver numbers made official - Number 13 returns to the grid this year
Published by Christine
The FIA have revealed the list of brand new permanent driver numbers, with nineteen names selecting their favourite digits that will stick with them for the rest of their Formula 1 career. Several drivers had already revealed their top three nominations, and most landed at least one of their choices.
Priority was given to those who finished higher up in the championship last season, which left poor Jules Bianchi to have to select an additional number beyond his preferred selection.
As of today, every driver with a confirmed seat for next season has a number and they make for a pretty interesting line-up.
| Number | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull Racing |
| 4 | Max Chilton | Marussia F1 Team |
| 5 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing |
| 6 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team |
| 7 | Kimi Räikkönen | Scuderia Ferrari |
| 8 | Romain Grosjean | Lotus F1 Team |
| 9 | Marcus Ericsson | Caterham F1 |
| 10 | Kamui Kobayashi | Caterham F1 |
| 11 | Sergio Pérez | Sahara Force India F1 Team |
| 13 | Pastor Maldonado | Lotus F1 Team |
| 14 | Fernando Alonso | Scuderia Ferrari |
| 17 | Jules Bianchi | Marussia F1 Team |
| 19 | Felipe Massa | Williams F1 Team |
| 20 | Kevin Magnussen | McLaren Mercedes |
| 21 | Esteban Gutiérrez | Sauber F1 Team |
| 22 | Jenson Button | McLaren Mercedes |
| 25 | Jean-Éric Vergne | Scuderia Toro Rosso |
| 26 | Daniil Kvyat | Scuderia Toro Rosso |
| 27 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sahara Force India F1 Team |
| 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team |
| 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Williams F1 Team |
| 99 | Adrian Sutil | Sauber F1 Team |
Sebastian Vettel's number choice for his career is five, but of course, he can use the number one for the duration of his champion status - which seems likely to last forever. Three drivers have yet to be confirmed for next year, with Marussia and Caterham both missing at least one driver from their line-ups.
Valtteri Bottas is my particular favourite, as we know he's going to use his number to promote the #Val77eriBO77AS brand. Pastor Maldonado has garnered a lot of respect today as well, selecting the number 13 - long avoided in F1 circles due to misguided superstition. Both Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean coincidentally retain their numbers from last season.
Now it is all down to the individual to make the most of the new branding and marketing opportunities presented with this change. Look out for all new helmet designs coming to a race driver near you.
