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. 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.Drivers were initially allowed to choose any number from 2 through 99; number 1 is reserved for the World Drivers’ Champion. The number 17 was retired in 2015 as a mark of respect to Jules Bianchi, who died that year from injuries sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix while carrying the number.Jules Bianchi is the most recent Formula One driver to have been fatally injured, during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix aged 25 Further more after his death the number 17 was banned from being used in his honor.