Source: REUTERS/RULA ROUHANA
[Saba Sports News] In 2014, the Formula One
Championship introduced the concept of fixed race numbers to enhance fans’
recognition of F1 drivers. Each driver selects a permanent race number to use
throughout their F1 career, with the exception of the reigning world champion,
who has the option to change their number. The choice of each number often
holds a special significance or story behind it. For instance, Pierre Gasly
from the Visa Cash App RB F1 team opted for the number 10 due to his admiration
for football star Zinedine Zidane, who wore the number 10 jersey for the French
national team. Sergio Perez chose the number 11 as he is a devoted fan of the
Mexican Club America, particularly their former player Ivan Zamorano, who wore
the number 11 throughout his career. Fernando Alonso selected the number 14
because on July 14, 1999, at the age of 14, he won the karting world
championship with a car bearing the number 14. Charles Leclerc chose the number
16 as it corresponds to his birth date, October 16. Alex Albon, a fan of
basketball stars LeBron James and Michael Jordan, opted for the number 23.
Guanyu Zhou chose the number 24 as a tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant.