9 replies to this topic

[Maisteri]

Hi

 

Not really sure about if this the right section but hopefully I get answer to this very "important" question regarding Kimi in 2004.

 

When Kimi finished second in 2003 and McLaren got numbers 5 and 6 from after finishing third in WCC - why Kimi didn't get to drive with number 5 instead Coulthard driving it? If I remember correctly the driver with more points got the smaller number for next season.

 

So was it because Kimi liked number six or was it some kind of "David is older and has more races in McLaren so he gets the smaller number"?

 

And no - Google didn't help me this time.

Edited by Maisteri, 08 May 2018 - 17:04.

[Tim Murray]

My understanding is that, except obviously for the numbers 1 and 2, there was no hard and fast rule about the allocation of numbers within teams. Coulthard and Räikkönen had carried 5 and 6 respectively in 2003 and chose not to change things for 2004. Similarly, Trulli and Alonso at Renault were 7 and 8 respectively in 2003 and didn't change for 2004 even though Alonso had outscored Trulli in 2003.

[bsc]

As I understand it, the allocation of numbers was down to teams to decide. For example, Footwork in 1996 were allocated 16 and 17. Jos Verstappen was intially allocated 16 - presumably because he was the more experienced and likely to be their lead driver over the course of the season. However, by the time Melbourne rolled around, he had switched numbers with Ricardo Rosset as - apparently - 17 is an unlucky number in Brazil.

[SpaceHorseParty]

Another example was Mercedes in 2010–2012. Although Rosberg had signed first and Schumacher didn't even participate in 2009, Schumacher used number 3 (as opposed to 4) because he preferred odd numbers. He then used number 7 (not 8) in 2011 and 2012 despite the fact Rosberg outscored him every season they were teammates.

[Maisteri]

Yeah now that you brought these examples I remembered those also!

 

In Schumacher's case I believe that he has never driven with an even number apart from Jordan in 1991 - hence number 3 and 7 at Mercedes.

[BiggestBuddyLazierFan]

I miss old number system used untill the end of 1995

It was so romantic having Tyrrell 3 and 4 and Ferrari 27 and 28, Lotus 11 and 12.

System introduced in 1996 was dull

Edited by BiggestBuddyLazierFan, 09 May 2018 - 07:21.

[Cornholio]

I miss old number system used untill the end of 1995

It was so romantic having Tyrrell 3 and 4 and Ferrari 27 and 28, Lotus 11 and 12.

System introduced in 1996 was dull

I did like that system yeah, teams would largely keep the same numbers year on year but with scope for evolution over time with the champion swaps and gaps needing filled from time to time.

I wish they'd resurrected it when they got rid of the 1996-2013 system rather than that awful MotoGP-style thing.

[Arjan de Roos]

Teams could decide themselves. When Ukyo Katayama was to get 4 at Tyrrell he asked to change as 4 is pronounced 'Shi' in Japanese sounds as the word for death....

[Tim Murray]

Likewise Satoru Nakajima.

[Michael Ferner]

One of the few numerological idiosyncrasies I can understand. "Here comes Nigel Mansell in the 5-car, followed by Satoru Nakajima in the death-car..." Sounds unpleasant, somehow.