Iconic racing numbers in Motorsport
Discussion
Had a search and couldn't find any threads on this - excuse my ignorance if it's a repost.
Some drivers / riders are associated with numbers: Rossi 46, Mansell 5 etc.
I was talking with my father about this. He tended to use number 26, for no particular reason other than not needing to change it...
We were wondering if there are stories behind this beyond the fact that some just choose to stick to the same numbers. I know different series use different rules to determine who gets which number, with some allowing free choice.
So which racers use specific numbers, and why?
Some drivers / riders are associated with numbers: Rossi 46, Mansell 5 etc.
I was talking with my father about this. He tended to use number 26, for no particular reason other than not needing to change it...
We were wondering if there are stories behind this beyond the fact that some just choose to stick to the same numbers. I know different series use different rules to determine who gets which number, with some allowing free choice.
So which racers use specific numbers, and why?
There must be plenty out there - not really something I have taken so much notice of previously. Just wondering if anyone has any good examples like yours.In F1, drivers can no longer pick and chose their numbers. They are allocated based on where the team ended the previous season. It's almost academic anyway as the numbers are barely visible on current F1 cars.
In the "old" days, on the whole, car numbers were allocated by individual event organisers so a driver's number would be different from race to race. The top drivers could, if they wished, try and persuade the organisers to allocate them a number they particularly wanted.
Even with the "fixed" numbering system of the modern era, certain numbers came to be associated with particular drivers. As mentioned above, Mansell often had number 5 which the team painted red so that it looked different to his team mate. Gilles Villeneuve usually had number 27 - although when he first joined Ferrari they usually had numbers 11 and 12 allocated to the team.
In the "old" days, on the whole, car numbers were allocated by individual event organisers so a driver's number would be different from race to race. The top drivers could, if they wished, try and persuade the organisers to allocate them a number they particularly wanted.
Even with the "fixed" numbering system of the modern era, certain numbers came to be associated with particular drivers. As mentioned above, Mansell often had number 5 which the team painted red so that it looked different to his team mate. Gilles Villeneuve usually had number 27 - although when he first joined Ferrari they usually had numbers 11 and 12 allocated to the team.
All the MotoGP guys now have their race number as part of the branding - so they can sell more merchandise. They stick with the same race number for their whole career.
It's not so common for car racing but one that sticks in my mind is 27 - seems to be iconically associated with Gilles Villeneuve.
It's not so common for car racing but one that sticks in my mind is 27 - seems to be iconically associated with Gilles Villeneuve.
NASCAR drivewrs seem to actively promote their numbers and many people have merchandise with the numbers in big on the side of the car. I guess it's because some teams sponsorship changes, sometimes on a race to race basis and it makes it easier for fans to pick out their driver. I often think more should be made of numbers in F1 but it's the championship position that generates the number.
This is a little O/T really, but the number 13 hasn't been used in F1 for many years http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/why-ther...
M Schumacher liked to run odd numbers, usually 1 of course!
M Schumacher liked to run odd numbers, usually 1 of course!
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