Question Regarding Driver Car Numbers

[JonoF1]

Hi, quick question. Since the 2008 drivers list has been released im confused by the numbering, why for the last 2? years, no car has had the number 13. I understand the numbering system but i noticed it last year aswell. Why is this?

Jono

[Principessa]

Number 13 isn't used as it is believed to bring bad luck!

[JonoF1]

I had thought that, but is that the actual reason for it?? One of the FIA's strange querks.

[dumrick]

Well, what you've noticed in the past 2 years is actually a tradition that exists since the beginning of Formula 1, I think. For sure, I know that since the 70's no car ever had that number...

[jddh1]

The reason for not assigning number thirteen is indeed because they think it brings bad luck. It stopped being assigned, officially, in 1974, but even before then it was not always used. Sometimes before then, it was only non-championship drivers that raced with this number, mostly cars that entered just a single race a season (local teams I suppose).

[megz]

Kimi will obviously have no.1 on his car but would this make him first driver at Ferrari or is the numbering for Ferrari just backwards now?

[Rob W]

WDC get's the number one no matter what his 'position' in the team.. his team-mate gets number two and then it goes by constructor order from the previous year team by team. Each team has designated one and two generally based on who was there first.

R

[Saribro]

Each team has designated one and two generally based on who was there first.

So not the highest ranked from the previous season? Hmm... Well I suppose it doesn't really matter anyway.

[Rob W]

Each team has designated one and two generally based on who was there first.

So not the highest ranked from the previous season? Hmm... Well I suppose it doesn't really matter anyway.

I don't think they do, but could be wrong. In such a case Eddie Irvine would have been number one for Ferrari in 2000 (after the 1999 season where he beat him).. and they couldn't have that happen.

Rob

[dumrick]

The reason for not assigning number thirteen is indeed because they think it brings bad luck. It stopped being assigned, officially, in 1974, but even before then it was not always used. Sometimes before then, it was only non-championship drivers that raced with this number, mostly cars that entered just a single race a season (local teams I suppose).

According to Pitpass, the only F1 championship race where number 13 was used was at the 1963 Mexican GP, by Moises Solana, driving a BRM. He retired in the 57th lap and was classified 11th.