F1 in Numbers

Cast your mind back, if you will, 25 years ago. Back then, in 1985, Thatcher and Reagan were at large, mobile phones were the size of toasters, Shakin’ Stevens was number one, and ‘our Nige’ was at the helm of a Williams-Honda with a sizeable red ‘5’ emblazoned on the nose. Now, compare that with today – you’re lucky to ever see the car numbers on the television at all. Sadly, the rise of commercialization means that all of today’s F1 teams place the minimum size number on the nose and the side of the car as required by the regulations in order to maximise the haul of precious sponsorship dollars. But, another key difference between those golden years and now is the actual system used to allocate numbers. Allow me to explain...

From 1974 to 1995, it was fairly simple: each team was allocated 2 numbers, and the new champions from each season just swapped their numbers with the incumbents – for example, at the end of 1974, the incumbents Lotus swicthed their 1 & 2 for McLaren’s 5 & 6 and the rest of the field carried on with the same numbers. This continuity meant that teams became associated with certain numbers – Tyrrell had numbers 3 & 4 throughout this entire period, Ferrari became attached to 27 & 28, and so did Lotus to 11 & 12 – Williams & McLaren mostly took turns keeping 1 & 2 warm during this halcyon time.

However, the FIA decided that in 1996, with just 22 cars on the grid and the ’95 entry list stretching to numbers 29 & 30, the numbers should be re-assigned each year in the order of the previous season’s constructor’s championship (Unless the reigning champion decides to jump ship, just as Schumacher and Hill did following their respective title-winning campaigns). Whilst this seems logical, the downside is that the numbers change every season, meaning we no longer get those historical associations like we did in the good ole’ days.

So, perhaps it’s time we redressed the situation. Let’s take a look elsewhere in motorsport for some inspiration. In the case of Moto GP, the system is fairly simple. I quote the FIM rulebook: Each rider accepted for the Championship will be allocated a specific starting number which will be valid for the whole Championship. In general, the starting numbers will be based on the results of the team riders in the previous year's Championship or in other similar events. This means No. 1 is reserved for the previous season’s champion, No. 2 for the vice-champion and so on.

However, we seldom see these numbers in use for two closely connected reasons: 1) Riders are becomingly increasingly superstitious and therefore wish to keep the same ‘lucky’ number regardless of their championship position, for example Valentino Rossi’s 46, Casey Stoner’s 27 etc., meaning the lower numbers become neglected. 2) For merchandising reasons and for ease of identification, it is easier for the riders to keep the same numbers year on year. The Moto GP riders drag their numbers, usually in precisely the same custom font, around with them to any and every team they ride for. And, more importantly, they are plain for all to see on the front of the bike, making identification a far easier task from a distance. It should be noted however that numbers 34 & 74 are retired as marks of respect toward Kevin Schwantz and Dajiro Kato respectively.

The British Touring Car Championship employs a similar system – that said, a standard font is used, and most drivers tend to go for their reserved number, unless it is embarrassingly low down the order (Yes, we’re looking at you Dave Pinkney). Gazing across the pond at IndyCar, interestingly enough it is not the drivers, but the teams to which the numbers belong – For instance the Penske team signs drivers to pilot their cars 3, 6 & 12. As in Moto GP, number one has fallen into disuse because of the big teams’ affection for their traditional numbers; although the identity of the car is bolstered further by the fact the teams often run different sponsorship liveries per car. Of course the series where numbers are most instantly recognisable has to be NASCAR, where the wholly personalised numbers take up a giant space, often the height of the car, on the side of the car and on the roof.

Whilst I’m not advocating that particular approach for F1, it would certainly be beneficial, in my opinion, to get some real connection back between driver and number. Perhaps then the easiest way would be a return to the system of old; declining grid numbers was the reason it was replaced, yet our grid is up to 24 for this year and set to swell back to the FIA’s target of 26 in 2011. To see Fernando and Felipe tearing up the track in cars 27 & 28 would certainly provide a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Sorry, can’t see the downside myself. Let me know if you find it.