FIA will retire Bianchi’s number

As a mark of respect for the late Jules Bianchi, who passed away last Friday following severe head injuries sustained in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, the FIA will retire the 25-year-old Frenchman’s number 17.

Starting in 2014 Formula One drivers chose their number and it was to stay with them for the remainder of their career.

“Jean Todt, President of the Federation 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,” the FIA said in a statement.

“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.”

Bianchi originally chose 7, a number that eventually went to current Scuderia driver Kimi Raikkonen, who former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo recently confirmed was due to be replaced by the Frenchman.

The announcement comes just one day prior to Bianchi’s funeral which is scheduled to be held Tuesday at Sainte Raparate Cathedral in the the former Marussia driver’s hometown of Nice.

Image: Manor Grand Prix Racing Ltd

About Joey Barnes 624 Articles
Joey Barnes is the Founder of Motorsports Tribune, an outlet that began with the goal of helping aspiring journalists break into and grow the industry. A regular on the racing scene since 2013, the journey for Joey started by covering a Grand-Am event at Circuit of The Americas in his home state of Texas. He has since primarily focused on the IndyCar Series, with appearances in the garages of NASCAR, paddocks of Formula 1, IMSA and World Endurance Championship, while also occasionally engulfing clouds of dust at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals and select Supercross rounds. With previous stops at Autoweek, IndyCar.com, Motorsport.com and RACER, among others, Joey evolved from the singular task as a freelance writer to advanced roles behind the copy desk and alongside some of the best editorial teams in the business. Recognized as a multi-time award winner by the National Motorsports Press Association, Joey currently resides in Dallas-Fort Worth with his trusty four-legged canine companion, Rocket.

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