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
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Formula 1 is the pinnacle of speed, but former Haas charger and IndyCar returnee Romain…
The 2026 Formula 1 revolution is no longer theory — it’s a looming test of…
The great Niki Lauda would have celebrated his 77th birthday on this day, so it's…
Talk about a "burning" desire to get back on the grid. Yuki Tsunoda’s first appearance…
Adrian Newey’s vision for an Aston Martin dynasty is facing a brutal reality check as…
Aston Martin – 128 laps Mike Krack, Chief Trackside Officer “We have concluded our test…