Piastri picks his career race number for Formula 1

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Future McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri has confirmed the race number that will follow him during his hopefully long and successful career in Formula 1 from 2023.

After a contentious split from Alpine that supported his efforts in motorsport's junior categories, Piastri has opted to race for McLaren from next season when he embarks on his maiden season in F1.

As is customary in F1 since 2014, drivers must pick an available single or double-digit race number that will remain their personal cipher for the duration of their tenure among the elite.

©JakobEbreyPhotography

"Basically, when I did my first race, I had to pick a number for my first race and the car shop I went to only had number ones in stock," he explained on The Fast Lane, the official podcast of the Australian GP. "And it had to be a one or two-digit number.

"I obviously couldn’t be number one because, for obvious reasons. So I was actually number 11 for my first couple of races.

"We entered, I think it was the Victorian state titles, and somebody had already entered as number 11. So I don’t know what inspired me to pick 81, but I changed the first one for a number eight and it stuck ever since."

Number '81' has never been used before in F1, and just out of curiosity we looked up the number's numerology significance.

Apparently 81 is a number of humanitarianism, business, and self-sufficiency! Well, those characteristics were clearly displayed recently in his contentious dealings with Alpine!

However, the number also resonates with justice, human welfare, balance, and self-determination.

What's in a number…

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.