Why is number 17 banned in F1?

Jules Bianchi lost his life while driving with the number 17 car at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

Why is number 17 banned in F1?

Jules Bianchi

F1 has been around for a long time and has had its ups and downs. In the modern era, the sport is seen as the pinnacle of motor racing, and it has been mostly down to the efforts of the various prolific drivers who have competed in the sport. Without the drivers’ contribution, the sport would not have been able to reach the heights it has risen to today.

F1 first staged a Grand Prix way back in 1950 and, since then, has seen several drivers who have found themselves in the heart of motorsports fans for eternity. Moreover, because of their breathtaking racing skills behind the wheel of an F1 machinery, certain specific numbers have become incredibly well-known as well.

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For starters, the number 5 was made famous by the former 4-time F1 World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, and the number 14 got its limelight because of the former 2-time World Champion, Fernando Alonso. While the above two numbers become famous for all the right reasons, one specific number is banned in F1.

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The number 17 was withdrawn from the sport after the unfortunate death of Jules Bianchi during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. He was running with this number at Suzuka and had a horrifying crash; he tried his best to fight through his injuries but, in the end, succumbed to them at a nearby hospital. Since that incident, the number is no longer available at the pinnacle of motor racing.

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F1 drivers have their preferences when it comes to car numbers

F1 as a sport has evolved massively in the last decade and today uses the most sophisticated technology. The sports teams have their preferred tie-ups with renowned manufacturers for the supply of engines, and just like the teams, the F1 drivers also have special car numbers that they like to race with.

F1 drivers
F1 drivers

Max Verstappen used the number 33 until 2021 on his car and later switched to the number 1 after winning the Championship that year. Lewis Hamilton, the former 7-time World Champion, has been using the number 44 on the various Mercedes F1 car he has driven so far in his long and successful career.

Like the drivers mentioned above, each driver that makes it into F1 has a specific number they like to race with. However, if a driver prefers a number already in use, there is no option but to go for another number that is not in use and is also not banned from use in the sport.

What is Max Verstappen’s car number

Two times F1 World Champion, Max Verstappen uses the No:1, reserved for defending champions.

What is Lewis Hamilton’s car number?

Seven times F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton uses the No:44 in his cars.

Is the No:13 banned in F1?

The number is not banned, but driver prefer not to use it due to superstetions.

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