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.
Why is number 17 banned in F1?
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. 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.
Why isn’t 17 allowed in F1?
Formula 1, a premier motor racing event since 1950, highlights numbers associated with legendary drivers. While numbers like 5 and 14 symbolize the greatness of champions like Vettel and Alonso, the number 17 was retired to honor Jules Bianchi, who tragically passed away after a 2014 accident. 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.