66 replies to this topic

[f1bits]

McLaren-Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton - 1
Heikki Kovalainen - 2

Scuderia Ferrari
Felipe Massa - 3
Kimi Raikkonen - 4

BMW Sauber F1 Team
Robert Kubica - 5
Nick Heidfeld - 6

Renault F1 Team
Fernando Alonso - 7
Nelson Piquet Jnr - 8

Toyota Racing
Jarno Trulli - 9
Timo Glock - 10

Scuderia Toro Rosso
Unknown - 11
Unknown - 12

Red Bull Racing
Mark Webber - 14
Sebastian Vettel - 15

Williams
Nico Rosberg - 16
Kazuki Nakajima - 17

Force India F1 Team
Adrian Sutil - 18
Giancarlo Fisichella - 19

[giacomo]

Great thread.

[mursuka80]

Originally posted by giacomo
Great thread.

:rotfl:you never disappoint What a useless thread.

[f1bits]

What's wrong with it?
I just wanted to let people know who would be driving what car number next year
Do you have a problem with that then?

[pgj]

Thank you

[mursuka80]

Originally posted by f1bits
What's wrong with it?
I just wanted to let people know who would be driving what car number next year
Do you have a problem with that then?

If you use logic its quite clear what numbers they will get.Driver who performed better or has been in a team longer(Webber and Vettel) in 2008 gets higher number and numbers are given by WCC positions.

[Slick]

Ok I'm going to take this off topic slightly so don't shoot me, but......if there is a problem with the number of cars of the grid and some have to take 3 cars, what would the numbering be like then, would it be a straight forward 1,2,3 for McLaren for example, or would they give the 3rd car something different. All hypothetical of course.

[gwk]

And if Honda is rescued at the last minute and races under some other name?

[Rob]

Originally posted by Slick
Ok I'm going to take this off topic slightly so don't shoot me, but......if there is a problem with the number of cars of the grid and some have to take 3 cars, what would the numbering be like then, would it be a straight forward 1,2,3 for McLaren for example, or would they give the 3rd car something different. All hypothetical of course.

I'm sure the third car's number will be out of sequence as the teams running a third car could vary from race to race. It's a lucky dip as to who gets to run it and Bernie won't want to have to reshuffle all the numbers every race.

[The Lonely]

are they even obliged to provide a third car as there is no concorde agreement at present?

[f1bits]

Originally posted by mursuka80


If you use logic its quite clear what numbers they will get.Driver who performed better or has been in a team longer(Webber and Vettel) in 2008 gets higher number and numbers are given by WCC positions.

I was just trying to help
it seems now this topic has got a few people talking about different situations that may arise.
So maybe it wasn't a useless topic as you first suggested

[mursuka80]

Originally posted by f1bits


I was just trying to help
it seems now this topic has got a few people talking about different situations that may arise.
So maybe it wasn't a useless topic as you first suggested

Im sorry I was a bit harsh

[ensign14]

Originally posted by Slick
Ok I'm going to take this off topic slightly so don't shoot me, but......if there is a problem with the number of cars of the grid and some have to take 3 cars, what would the numbering be like then, would it be a straight forward 1,2,3 for McLaren for example, or would they give the 3rd car something different. All hypothetical of course.

When they had the third car in practice (and occasionally at testing) they started in the thirties. So a third McLaren would be 31, a third Ferrari 32 and so on. Of course there was a theoretical point in doing that, as they were showing a car that wasn't entered for the Grand Prix itself, and that might be appropriate if the third cars were excluded from points, but you can't see the bloody numbers anyway.

[Ferrim]

Actually I'm quite sure Force India will race with 20 & 21 numbers, even if there is no Honda team in the grid at Melbourne. Because their inscription will be there, as Honda is still supporting them. If they fold they just won't race, but Force India won't take their numbers, just like no one took Super Aguri's numbers this year. I know Super Aguri folded after the season started, but that doesn't matter as long as the team is already in the entry list.

Back in 2002, Prost folded before the season started, but Toyota still raced with numbers 24 & 25. And Minardi 22 & 23.

[tidytracks]

What if Honda is sold?

Will the new owners have 18 and 19?

Will the new owners get 20 and 21 and Force India get 18 and 19?

Or will Honda's absence see Force India stay on 20 and 21 and the new owners get 22 and 23?

[f1bits]

Originally posted by tidytracks
What if Honda is sold?

Will the new owners have 18 and 19?

Will the new owners get 20 and 21 and Force India get 18 and 19?

Or will Honda's absence see Force India stay on 20 and 21 and the new owners get 22 and 23?

I suppose whoever buys Honda would take over their original allocated car numbers
Not 100% sure though

[Vitesse2]

Isn't this all rather academic considering you can't see the bloody numbers any more?

[pgj]

My understanding is that any team racing with three cars will take their test number for their third car. I have always understood that the numbering usually restarts after each race car is numbered, McLaren 20, Ferrari 21 ...

Is this correct?

[TOPCAT1976]

I've never understood why the teams / drivers have not stuck with the same number. Take for instance Rossi. He's 46 no matter what. This means merchandise... I see so many little stickers, t-shirts, helmets, bike leathers - the lot branded.

Why does no one in F1 do the same and cash in? I'm pretty sure numbers are chosen, not allocated.

TC

[tidytracks]

Afraid they're allocated.

World Champion Driver's team gets 1 and 2, and thereafter the team numbers run in Constructors' Championship order.

[TOPCAT1976]

Originally posted by tidytracks
Afraid they're allocated.

World Champion Driver's team gets 1 and 2, and thereafter the team numbers run in Constructors' Championship order.

Ah well - you think the FIA would realise there is money to be made... Beckham proved that first with 7 then with 23... Still Nicky Hayden with 69 always cracks me up...

[wewantourdarbyback]

Originally posted by tidytracks
Afraid they're allocated.

World Champion Driver's team gets 1 and 2, and thereafter the team numbers run in Constructors' Championship order.

They're allocated, since 1996 the teams have taken numbers relevant to their finishing position in the previous season, before that they kept the previous seasons numbers.

[pgj]

We should go back to set numbers again where only the WDC champion and partner take numbers 1 and 2. I am sure that Ferrari would rather carry 27 this year than 3 and 4.

[Atreiu]

Yeah.
WDC gets 1, his teammate 2, each other team choses their number, going first who placed best in the previous year WCC.

[Rob]

Originally posted by pgj
We should go back to set numbers again where only the WDC champion and partner take numbers 1 and 2. I am sure that Ferrari would rather carry 27 this year than 3 and 4.

Don't even worry with that. Have each race's organisers allocate the numbers for that round.

[Smudger]

So Stirling always gets his lucky number 7?

[lukywill]

#19 is the maximum?

no thanks, i prefer adults only.

[Garagiste]

They were going to abandon the allocation of numbers a few years back, but Peter Sauber cried foul as his team had finished fourth(?) in the WCC the year before and he wanted the kudos of the low numbers.

[Rob]

Originally posted by Garagiste
They were going to abandon the allocation of numbers a few years back, but Peter Sauber cried foul as his team had finished fourth(?) in the WCC the year before and he wanted the kudos of the low numbers.

That was going to be for 2002 but Sauber vetoed it.

[Crestie]

Renault should walk it then next year. Lucky number 7 in the Western hemisphere for Alonso and lucky number 8 in the Eastern hemisphere for Nelsinho.

I refuse to acknowledge all empirical data to the contrary, concerning previous bearers of the #7 and #8 cars. Ahfankoo.

[mursuka80]

Originally posted by Crestie
Renault should walk it then next year. Lucky number 7 in the Western hemisphere for Alonso and lucky number 8 in the Eastern hemisphere for Nelsinho.

I refuse to acknowledge all empirical data to the contrary, concerning previous bearers of the #7 and #8 cars. Ahfankoo.

Häkkinen had No 8 in 1998

[Crestie]

Nelson for WDC then. Sorted.

[Hippo]

Maybe Red Bull should veto the number 13 being left out. The number 13 could possibly be bringing good luck to Mark Webber. Or am I grasping at straws here?

[pgj]

Sorry to repeat a question, but I have not seen an answer to my question.

How are 'T' cars numbered?

[mursuka80]

Originally posted by Crestie
Nelson for WDC then. Sorted.

[Hippo]

Originally posted by pgj
How are 'T' cars numbered?

There are no 'T' cars allowed in the current regs so there ain't no system to number them either. Standard procedure in testing sessions was, that dedicated testing drivers got numbers from a range above the official championship numbering. But those numbers were handed out by the organizers of the respective test.

Btw, replacement drivers do obviously get the number of the driver they're replacing nowadays. At least that was the case for Vettel last year in Indy.

[Rob]

Originally posted by Hippo
Maybe Red Bull should veto the number 13 being left out. The number 13 could possibly be bringing good luck to Mark Webber. Or am I grasping at straws here?

I don't see why 13 should be left out. Why should 13 be left out on the basis that it is allegedly unlucky in a handful of countries? Should we leave out the number 4 as well because it's the Japanese unlucky number? F1 is supposed to be scientific and yet we have this superstitious nonsense.

[Dudley]

Originally posted by pgj
Sorry to repeat a question, but I have not seen an answer to my question.

How are 'T' cars numbered?

When they ran in 3rd sessions a year or two ago they went 31+ in team order.

[MonzaOne]

Originally posted by Slick
Ok I'm going to take this off topic slightly so don't shoot me, but......if there is a problem with the number of cars of the grid and some have to take 3 cars, what would the numbering be like then, would it be a straight forward 1,2,3 for McLaren for example, or would they give the 3rd car something different. All hypothetical of course.

That used to happen in 70's and the solution was to use higher numbers. So if Mclaren raced a third car [wish they could] say for Gary Paffett [a driver more than any that deserves at least ONE grand prix start for Mclaren] it could be number 33 not "3". Get the picture?

[f1bits]

Originally posted by Hippo


Btw, replacement drivers do obviously get the number of the driver they're replacing nowadays. At least that was the case for Vettel last year in Indy.

I noticed this on the Vettel BMW sauber minichamps model
because Vettel replaced Kubica, the model has Kubica's number on the model ( number 10 )

[ensign14]

Originally posted by MonzaOne


That used to happen in 70's and the solution was to use higher numbers. So if Mclaren raced a third car [wish they could] say for Gary Paffett [a driver more than any that deserves at least ONE grand prix start for Mclaren] it could be number 33 not "3". Get the picture?

Although the last team to enter 3 cars for a Grand Prix used consecutive numbers.

Albeit because the number 14 was vacant.

[Terry Walker]

The original reasons for car numbers were (a) to enable timekeeping with hand-held stopwatches (b) to help the paying public work out who is who.

(a) is now pointless - its done electronically.

(b) is now pointless since Bernie and Max don't give a fat rats for the paying public.

Which is why race car numbers are now tiny.

My own view, for what it's worth (which is zero) is that the reigning WDC ought to have the option to have No 1; if he doesn't want it then No 1 goes into abeyance. Other numbers up to 99 available to drivers' preferences. When there's a conflict ("We both want No 7") flip a coin. (Or pay a bribe to someone.)

(Edited for typos)

[Keffo]

Originally posted by pgj
My understanding is that any team racing with three cars will take their test number for their third car. I have always understood that the numbering usually restarts after each race car is numbered, McLaren 20, Ferrari 21 ...

Is this correct?

No, it's 31, 32, 33... Like McNish had on his Renault during friday testing a while ago.

[metz]

Originally posted by TOPCAT1976
I've never understood why the teams / drivers have not stuck with the same number. Take for instance Rossi. He's 46 no matter what. This means merchandise... I see so many little stickers, t-shirts, helmets, bike leathers - the lot branded.

Why does no one in F1 do the same and cash in? I'm pretty sure numbers are chosen, not allocated.

TC

The commercial side has some merit.

In NASCAR, the teams keep the numbers.
I've seen fans cheering for years for number 3 and have no idea who drives it.
They will part with $800 for a No.3 leather jacket.

Changing the numbers in F1 may increase the merchandise sale since many fans want to be current.
Changing the numbers is a good way to make last years merchandise obsolete.
But, would a Kimi fan part with big cash for a No.4 jacket?

[howardt]

Originally posted by Terry Walker

My own view, for what it's worth (which is zero) is that the reigning WDC ought to have the option to have No 1; if he doesn't want it then No 1 goes into abeyance. Other numbers up to 99 available to drivers' preferences. When there's a conflict ("We both want No 7") flip a coin. (Or pay a bribe to someone.)

(Edited for typos)

My equally-worthless opinion is in agreement. If drivers get to keep the number of their choice for a few years, then it will start to become associated and fans will want the numbered merchandise. It's a goldmine for F1. At the moment, the numbers are pretty meaningless to fans because (a) they're invisible and (b) they change every year.
But there are a number of sports-stars that you can immediately identify with a number. For instance :
5 - Mansell
7 - Sheene ( / Beckham?)
46 - Rossi

Anyone for another "counting" game ??

[aditya-now]

Originally posted by giacomo
Great thread.

[zg1972]

Originally posted by mursuka80


If you use logic its quite clear what numbers they will get.Driver who performed better or has been in a team longer(Webber and Vettel) in 2008 gets higher number and numbers are given by WCC positions.

You wanted to say the driver who performed better or has been in the team longer gets lower and not higher number?

[stevewf1]

Originally posted by Rob
I don't see why 13 should be left out. Why should 13 be left out on the basis that it is allegedly unlucky in a handful of countries? Should we leave out the number 4 as well because it's the Japanese unlucky number? F1 is supposed to be scientific and yet we have this superstitious nonsense.

As far as I know, #13 has only been used four times since 1950...

1963 - MEX, Moises Solana, finished 11th
1963 - ZA, Paddy Driver, dns
1972 - A, Emerson Fittipaldi, won the race also pole position
1976 - GB, Divina Galica, dnq

Edit: Used four times since 1950 in F1.

[scheivlak]

Originally posted by stevewf1
1972 - A, Emerson Fittipaldi, won the race also pole position

Emerson had #31 in Austria: http://www.forix.com...19720009031&c=0

[stevewf1]

Originally posted by scheivlak
Emerson had #31 in Austria: http://www.forix.com...19720009031&c=0

My error. Thanks.