Up until almost a decade ago the Formula One drivers’ race numbers were determined according to on each team’s ranking in the previous year’s championship. However, a major change was introduced in 2014: since that moment, drivers got the chance to choose their number, but it would stick with them during their Formula 1 career. So how and why did Scuderia Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz choose their numbers? Let’s take a look:
Charles Leclerc – #16
During the last few seasons we have become used to seeing Charles Leclerc’s number 16 plastered on the front of his scarlet red Ferrari challenger. Yet, if the Monegasque driver would have had the possibility at the start of his Formula 1 career with Sauber, he would now be racing with a different number.
“I wanted number seven. I wanted number 10, but it was taken,” Charles Leclerc explained – “I finally ended up with number 16, because one plus six equals seven and I am born the 16th of October. So, not a very interesting story.” – he added.
Carlos Sainz – #55
When Carlos Sainz arrived in Formula 1, his wish was to start racing with the number five on his car. However, four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel was racing for Scuderia Ferrari with number five. This meant that Carlos had to come up with an ingenious idea: the Spaniard therefore put two fives together, making 55, the number he still races with today for the Maranello team:
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“Carlos Sainz. One S is one five. The other S is another five. So, it’s a 55. My favourite number is number five. Sebastian Vettel had the five, so I had to change. Then I came out with this word game of my name and the fives.” – Carlos Sainz explained.
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