Is the number 69 banned in F1?
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. F1 drivers are allowed to choose a number between 2 and 99, which remain theirs for the duration of their career in the sport. If they depart the sport for any reason – be it a retirement or anything else – then their numbers would be reserved for two seasons, preventing any newcomers in that period from selecting it.
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 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Bianchi remains the most recent fatality in the Formula One World Championship. 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.