The on-track battles may have come to a close for the winter break, but there is a new battle brewing as drivers select the permanent numbers that will stay with them for the remainder of their F1 career.
The FIA announced the new regulation last week, before confirming it in the recently published 2014 Sporting Regulations.
Numbers between 2 to 99 are available to the drivers, with number 1 being reserved for the champion if he wants to use it. They must now be clearly visible on the car as well as being positioned on the driver's helmet.
Initially, drivers will submit their top three choices to the FIA. The numbers will then be allocated in championship order; with Sebastian Vettel having the first choice should be not want the number 1 on his car.
For example, Nico Rosberg has revealed his three choices to be 6, 5 and 9 but if if a driver who finished above him in the championship also has number 6 as their first choice, they will get priority. Rosberg's father Keke raced to his only F1 title in 1982 in the number 6 Williams.
Elsewhere, Finnish media are reporting that Kimi Raikkonen has chosen the number 7. It is a new kind of silly season; with countryman Valtteri Bottas shared his preferred options on Twitter:
Jean-Eric Vergne confirmed on Twitter that he has requested 25, 21 or 27 - which was made famous by Gilles Villeneuve.
Jules Bianchi shared his choices today, but he could be left disappointed. His first choice is number 7, which is thought to be Raikkonen's preferred option, his second choice is 27 - Vergne's final request - and his third is 77, which Valtteri Bottas is eager to use.
However, several drivers are keeping their choices quiet. "My 3 favorite numbers sent to the FIA but will keep it secret for now," Romain Grosjean tweeted to his followers.
Daniel Ricciardo is also keeping his fans waiting: "It's a beautiful thing F1 drivers will have freedom to choose what number they want to race from next year. For now I'll keep mine quiet."
Adrian Sutil is also looking to keep it a secret, telling the official F1 website: "Yes, I have picked my number already - and yes, my favourite was available - but it will be a secret until it is official!"
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
Numbers between 2 to 99 are available to the drivers, with number 1 being reserved for the champion if he wants to use it. They must now be clearly visible on the car as well as being positioned on the driver's helmet.
Initially, drivers will submit their top three choices to the FIA. The numbers will then be allocated in championship order; with Sebastian Vettel having the first choice should be not want the number 1 on his car.
For example, Nico Rosberg has revealed his three choices to be 6, 5 and 9 but if if a driver who finished above him in the championship also has number 6 as their first choice, they will get priority. Rosberg's father Keke raced to his only F1 title in 1982 in the number 6 Williams.
Elsewhere, Finnish media are reporting that Kimi Raikkonen has chosen the number 7. It is a new kind of silly season; with countryman Valtteri Bottas shared his preferred options on Twitter:
So, It's the #77 I have applied for! 17 as 2nd choice and 11 as 3rd choice. #BO77AS
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) December 13, 2013
Felipe Massa is looking to get number 19, Fernando Alonso will run 14 - which is his lucky number - and recently signed Force India driver Sergio Perez is keen to secure number 11.Jean-Eric Vergne confirmed on Twitter that he has requested 25, 21 or 27 - which was made famous by Gilles Villeneuve.
Jules Bianchi shared his choices today, but he could be left disappointed. His first choice is number 7, which is thought to be Raikkonen's preferred option, his second choice is 27 - Vergne's final request - and his third is 77, which Valtteri Bottas is eager to use.
However, several drivers are keeping their choices quiet. "My 3 favorite numbers sent to the FIA but will keep it secret for now," Romain Grosjean tweeted to his followers.
Daniel Ricciardo is also keeping his fans waiting: "It's a beautiful thing F1 drivers will have freedom to choose what number they want to race from next year. For now I'll keep mine quiet."
Adrian Sutil is also looking to keep it a secret, telling the official F1 website: "Yes, I have picked my number already - and yes, my favourite was available - but it will be a secret until it is official!"
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