Is number 69 allowed in F1?
Drivers can choose any number between 2 and 99, except: Number 1 – Reserved for the reigning world champion (optional). In 2014, it was decided to introduce the current system, where each driver gets to choose a permanent number. Drivers were initially allowed to choose any number from 2 through 99; number 1 is reserved for the World Drivers’ Champion.Is the Number 69 Banned in F1? Number 69 is not officially banned by the FIA, but no driver has chosen it since the system was introduced in 2014.Number 69 is not officially banned by the FIA, but no driver has chosen it since the system was introduced in 2014. It’s likely avoided due to its cultural associations and potential to be seen as controversial or unprofessional.
Why is number 17 banned in F1?
The ban on number 17 in F1 traces back to the tragic loss of Jules Bianchi, a talented driver whose career was cut short by a fatal accident. The FIA chose to retire the number as a lasting tribute to honor his memory and achievements. The number 17 was retired from Formula One in his honour by the FIA, who mandated the halo cockpit protection device in all open-wheel championships from 2018 onwards. As of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Bianchi remains the most recent fatality in the Formula One World Championship.