176 replies to this topic

[Silverstone96]

So it looks like next season will be another year without the prestigious number 1 will not be run by the champion with 44 instead.

Is it me or is it sad that this great tradition has fallen away? The FIA should have made it mandatory for the champion to run it

[hodgy21]

44 is the number of the champion this year. He didn't want number 1 on his car.

It's no big deal, the racing is what actually matters.

[GoldenColt]

Personally, I couldn't care less about the number 1. 

[Marklar]

WTCC? Same issue. Nascar? Same issue. Moto GP? Same issue.

It is quite normal imo. The only issue I have is that people who are watching F1 for the first time should be able to indentify the current WDC. And its also not necessary a broke of tradition: Hamilton is not the first WDC who is driving w/o #1 I think...

Edited by Marklar, 13 September 2015 - 10:01.

[Lotus53B]

I don't care what number they run, I just wish that they'd run with them large enough for us to see easily.

 

It's not like most cars are covered with sponsor decals anymore.

[4Wheeldrift]

I think that the tradition of the number 1 was a good tradition, like the maillot jaune But if another was adopted - for example that the WDC's number was in gold - or something, then that's cool too.  But i think the number 1 is gone for good.

 

In Hamilton's case, 44 is part of brand Hamilton.  Good luck to him.  I think the driver number was a bit of a mistake.  I understand the idea for driver recognition and increased merchandising appeal, but they are going to have to be recycled or extended into three digits (or some drivers are going to have a choice of no number that means anything to them). Ultimately gimmicky stuff like that loses its appeal and its meaning.

 

I completely agree the numbers should be bigger,  The idea of the fixed number was because otherwise you'd have to be in the know to identify the driver by his helmet.  It's a bit pointless if you can't see the number on the car!

[Imateria]

The only way the number 1 would be gone for good is if Hamilton wins every title for the remainder of F1's existence, which isn't going to happen. We've already had Vettel running with the 1 when he had the choice not to.

[johnmhinds]

The numbers are pointless when it feels like most of the teams are trying to hide them on purpose.

 

Black and red numbers on a black and red car for example  :

 

[Marklar]

The only way the number 1 would be gone for good is if Hamilton wins every title for the remainder of F1's existence, which isn't going to happen. We've already had Vettel running with the 1 when he had the choice not to.

Vettel wanted apparently to run with #5 but Red Bull apparently didnt wanted to for marketing reasons....

[Knowlesy]

It's a number. Who cares?

[rhukkas]

In a world of robotic commercialism it's nice to have something on the car that has a personal meaning for a driver. 44 is the number Hamilton won his first Cadet championship with.

[FerrariV12]

So it looks like next season will be another year without the prestigious number 1 will not be run by the champion with 44 instead.

Is it me or is it sad that this great tradition has fallen away? The FIA should have made it mandatory for the champion to run it

Or even better, not introduced the system in the first place and kept proper meaningful numbers. Its not like there werent warnings from MotoGP. On second thoughts they probably wanted this to happen, commercialism and marketing seem to trump everything these days

[Counterbalance]

So it looks like next season will be another year without the prestigious number 1 will not be run by the champion with 44 instead.

Is it me or is it sad that this great tradition has fallen away? The FIA should have made it mandatory for the champion to run it

 

Nobody ran the number one plate in 1993, Damon Hill was 0, Prost, No. 2, and although different circumstances prevail, I understand your point. Some drivers are always associated with numbers, and I guess that was the FIA's point when introducing this new feature.

[JHSingo]

You can hardly see the numbers on the cars most the time anyway. What does it matter?

[Fastcake]

Or even better, not introduced the system in the first place and kept proper meaningful numbers. Its not like there werent warnings from MotoGP. On second thoughts they probably wanted this to happen, commercialism and marketing seem to trump everything these days

It's not like the numbers meant anything before when they changed every year. And really, warnings from MotoGP? Of what?

[Knowlesy]

Or even better, not introduced the system in the first place and kept proper meaningful numbers. Its not like there werent warnings from MotoGP. On second thoughts they probably wanted this to happen, commercialism and marketing seem to trump everything these days

 

Eh? The numbers in MotoGP are meaningful.

 

Think of the number 46 and you instantly think of Rossi.

 

Think of the number 1 and, errr...

 

Back in the day Mansell was red five. When he briefly ran red one in 1994 it just wasn't the same.

[Rob]

Eh? The numbers in MotoGP are meaningful.

 

Think of the number 46 and you instantly think of Rossi.

 

Think of the number 1 and, errr...

 

Mick Doohan

[RedBaron]

This is the least important change.

 

Losing number 1 is a good trade off for drivers having their own numbers.

[PayasYouRace]

In a world of robotic commercialism it's nice to have something on the car that has a personal meaning for a driver. 44 is the number Hamilton won his first Cadet championship with.

 

Except that the current system is all about commercialism. Previously the numbers were just assigned in the order of the previous year's constructors championship.

 

Or even better, not introduced the system in the first place and kept proper meaningful numbers. Its not like there werent warnings from MotoGP. On second thoughts they probably wanted this to happen, commercialism and marketing seem to trump everything these days

 

The last set of numbers didn't have much meaning though, apart from telling you the previous year's constructors order.

[Silverstone96]

I'll always associate 27 & 28 with Ferrari, thateans something to me

[4Wheeldrift]

The reason I think 1 is dead is because it is a marketing led effort, and the brands that the drivers are trying to foster now have investment in those numbers.  So it's going to be a marketing effort for any of the drivers (not picking on HAM here) to take up the number 1.

[Maustinsj]

Back in the day Mansell was red five. When he briefly ran red one in 1994 it just wasn't the same.

Thought he ran red 2 since Prost was the retiring champ? (As in he took Senna's numbered car - didn't he take Coulthard's car for Adelaide?)

Edited by Maustinsj, 12 September 2015 - 20:48.

[PayasYouRace]

Yes Williams were 0 and 2 twice. In 1993 when Mansell left for Indycar, Hill was 0 and Prost was 2. In 1994 after Prost retired, Damon was 0 again and Senna, Coulthard and Mansell all had turns in 2, but only Nigel had it painted red.

[Knowlesy]

Thought he ran red 2 since Prost was the retiring champ? (As in he took Senna's numbered car - didn't he take Coulthard's car for Adelaide?)

 

Yes he was red two in F1, he ran red one in Indycar.

 

Both were WRONG.

 

He did, of course, run another iconic number in 1989: the Ferrari number 27. Now that is one that is missed.

Edited by Knowlesy, 13 September 2015 - 01:39.

[charly0418]

It's a number. Who cares?

 

it matters, Pastor chose 13, look at what happened

[Marklar]

it matters, Pastor chose 13, look at what happened

Nothing changed tbh

[George Costanza]

Eh? The numbers in MotoGP are meaningful.

 

Think of the number 46 and you instantly think of Rossi.

 

Think of the number 1 and, errr...

 

Back in the day Mansell was red five. When he briefly ran red one in 1994 it just wasn't the same.

Michael Schumacher? 

Edited by George Costanza, 13 September 2015 - 03:37.

[CoolBreeze]

So what? The numbers are barely visible on the cars. Most of the time, people identify them with the helmets. 

[PayasYouRace]

 

Think of the number 1 and, errr...

 

 

...you know who the reigning champion is. That's the point. It's not supposed to be associated with one person, but whoever is currently the champion.

 

I'm not all that impressed with Lewis not using it this year. It feels almost like there's no reigning champion on the grid at times.

[FPV GTHO]

So it looks like next season will be another year without the prestigious number 1 will not be run by the champion with 44 instead.

Is it me or is it sad that this great tradition has fallen away? The FIA should have made it mandatory for the champion to run it

After 1-2 years you think it is dead? Absolute first world problem

[BT44/45]

After 1-2 years you think it is dead? Absolute first world problem

 

like every other thread/comment on this forum. yep, this one as well.

 

 

i, for one, prefer the previous system.

[Disgrace]

It's obviously not much of a problem, but I rather like the number one plate. As a new fan once upon a time, it told me immediately who the bauss was. With the exception of GP2, it's the only number that is earned.

[Knowlesy]

...you know who the reigning champion is. That's the point. It's not supposed to be associated with one person, but whoever is currently the champion.

I'm not all that impressed with Lewis not using it this year. It feels almost like there's no reigning champion on the grid at times.

Seems like you know who the reigning champion is.

Still, yes, what a scumbag for using his own number.

[PayasYouRace]

Seems like you know who the reigning champion is.

Still, yes, what a scumbag for using his own number.

 

It doesn't feel like he's acknowledged it by keeping his number. It's like doesn't care that he's the champion.

[DutchQuicksilver]

I wish they'd go back to pre 2014, with numbers 1 to 23 (leaving 13 out). These driver numbers seem forced, they want the same as MotoGP, driver recognition with numbers, but it's not really working.

 

Also, there's only 99 numbers available. And drivers who are out of F1 for three years lose their numbers, so where's the recognition in there? When Hamilton retires, the number 44 will be passed on to another driver anyway. Nobody will link 44 to Hamilton by then anymore.

Edited by DutchQuicksilver, 13 September 2015 - 09:29.

[midgrid]

Schumacher was also briefly red 5, at the 1994 Spanish Grand Prix.

[YoungGun]

...you know who the reigning champion is. That's the point. It's not supposed to be associated with one person, but whoever is currently the champion.

 

I'm not all that impressed with Lewis not using it this year. It feels almost like there's no reigning champion on the grid at times.

 

Broadcasters remind plenty during GP races who the reigning champion is. Maybe Lewis should consider incorporating the #1 into his next hair cut?

[Marklar]

I wish they'd go back to pre 2014, with numbers 1 to 23 (leaving 13 out). These driver numbers seem forced, they want the same as MotoGP, driver recognition with numbers, but it's not really working.

Also, there's only 99 numbers available. And drivers who are out of F1 for three years lose their numbers, so where's the recognition in there? When Hamilton retires, the number 44 will be passed on to another driver anyway. Nobody will link 44 to Hamilton by then anymore.

I dont understand this argument. Isnt it even in MotoGP exactly like that? If Rossi is retiring one day, someone will probably take his number in the future, but people will stil link the 46 with Rossi. As people are stil linking Senna with the 12, Villeuneuve with the 27 or Mansell with the 5. Or in the future Hamilton with the 44.

It is an typical example of things which are working in other series, F1 is adapting it and everyone is moaning that it is not the same....my only problem is the recognition of the current WDC for people who are new in the sport, maybe they should make a golden circle or something like that around the number. But thats it. Nobody is moaning about these things in every other racing series, just in F1.....

Edited by Marklar, 13 September 2015 - 09:38.

[Knowlesy]

It doesn't feel like he's acknowledged it by keeping his number. It's like doesn't care that he's the champion.

I suspect he does care. More than any silly vinyl on his car could show.

The best thing about this is that, when the cars ran traditional numbers, you couldn't even bloody see them anyways.

Just goes to show this is manufactured outrage.

Edited by Knowlesy, 13 September 2015 - 10:10.

[PayasYouRace]

I suspect he does care. More than any silly vinyl on his car could show.

The best thing about this is that, when the cars ran traditional numbers, you couldn't even bloody see them anyways.

Just goes to show this is manufactured outrage.

 

Less outrage and more disappointment where I'm sitting.

[Knowlesy]

Schumacher was also briefly red 5, at the 1994 Spanish Grand Prix.

As an eagle eyed child way back when, this tremendously upset me.

[Silverstone96]

I started this thread and it's not outrage at all, just sad that a tradition since I started watching f1 (1992) has gone.

The thing is if Rosberg, Vettel, Ricciardo, Alonso or Button won the title I can imagine all of them reverting to the number 1

Unfortunately Hamilton doesn't have the same appreciation of history

[Knowlesy]

Tradition since 1992...

I imagine...

*vague allegation that can't be verified*

[Marklar]

I started this thread and it's not outrage at all, just sad that a tradition since I started watching f1 (1992) has gone.
The thing is if Rosberg, Vettel, Ricciardo, Alonso or Button won the title I can imagine all of them reverting to the number 1
Unfortunately Hamilton doesn't have the same appreciation of history

Ah, you started the thread to moan about a certain driver, great.

Journalist who are close to Vettel said that he wanted last year to run the #5 but RB didnt let him for marketing reasons, so is Vettel also not appreciating the history? What a bullsh*.

So, Hamilton is not appreciating the history....do you mean this history?


Juan Manuel Fangio, the reigning WDC at the British GP 1955. But look, where is the #1 for the reigning WDC?

[PAGATRON]

Before this becomes a driver hate thread, look he's got the number one on his lid.

 

There happy? No I suppose you aren't.

[YoungGun]

I started this thread and it's not outrage at all, just sad that a tradition since I started watching f1 (1992) has gone.

The thing is if Rosberg, Vettel, Ricciardo, Alonso or Button won the title I can imagine all of them reverting to the number 1

Unfortunately Hamilton doesn't have the same appreciation of history

 

F1 is older than 1992 so I understand why you may be disappointed. It wasn't always that way however.

[Silverstone96]

I am not a Hamilton hater before you start ranting like a little fanboy, not the biggest fan of him as a person but appreciate that he is a great driver. (I was a big fan in his McLaren days)

Also appreciate the tradition has been since the early seventies not 1992 but seems like you can't even express an opinion on here without being butchered by know it alls who all think they know one better than the next person

[Knowlesy]

Look mate, I can't help knowing everything.* Don't be like that.

The number one was cool. But I really like the current system even more. Hamilton is running a childhood number, what could have more personal meaning than that?






* wildly wrong.

Edited by Knowlesy, 13 September 2015 - 10:49.

[Marklar]

I am not a Hamilton hater before you start ranting like a little fanboy, not the biggest fan of him as a person but appreciate that he is a great driver. (I was a big fan in his McLaren days)
Also appreciate the tradition has been since the early seventies not 1992 but seems like you can't even express an opinion on here without being butchered by know it alls who all think they know one better than the next person

Nobody is critizising you for having the opinion that the WDC should have the #1, but imo it is ridiculous to critizise a driver for not appreciating the "history" although it has nothing to do with history and at the same time implying that every other driver would appreciated this "history" which is also wrong.

[PayasYouRace]

Ah, you started the thread to moan about a certain driver, great.

Journalist who are close to Vettel said that he wanted last year to run the #5 but RB didnt let him for marketing reasons, so is Vettel also not appreciating the history? What a bullsh*.

So, Hamilton is not appreciating the history....do you mean this history?


Juan Manuel Fangio, the reigning WDC at the British GP 1955. But look, where is the #1 for the reigning WDC?

 

We're all aware that the tradition goes back a long way. The old system started in 1974 of course, and even before then it was becoming more and more common for the reigning champion to be racing the number one. Just because you can find a picture from before the tradition started doesn't change anything.

 

 

Before this becomes a driver hate thread, look he's got the number one on his lid.

 

There happy? No I suppose you aren't.

 

You'll have to point out the no.1 because I genuinely can't see one. But that's not what this is about. It's about the champion driving in car no.1