FIA President Jean Todt has confirmed Jules Bianchi’s #17 race number will be officially retired from Formula One to pay respects to the late Frenchman, who passed away last Friday.
The FIA statement reads:
“Jean Todt, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) announced that the car number 17 will be retired from the FIA Formula One World Championship in honour of Jules Bianchi.
“As F1 car numbers are now personally chosen by each driver, the FIA believes it to be an appropriate gesture to retire Jules Bianchi’s number 17.
“As a result, this number can no longer be used for a car competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship.”
Prior to the 2014 season, F1 drivers were asked to pick a race number that they would then keep throughout their entire spell at the top echelon.
However, this year’s revised article 21.2 of the sporting regulations brought the following clarification: “A driver’s career in Formula 1 will be deemed to have ended if he does not participate in an Event for two entire consecutive Championship seasons.”
The latest FIA statement ensures this will not be the case for Bianchi’s #17.
F1 drivers pay tribute to Bianchi after death at 25
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