Why does Franco Colapinto use the number 43 in Formula 1?

Since 2014, the Formula 1 allows drivers to choose their own competition number, a significant change from the old systems where numbers were assigned based on the team’s or driver’s performance in the previous season.

This number selection practice is popular in other motorsport categories and also reinforces the “personal brand” aspect of drivers.

Currently, each rider’s personal numbers remain the same from season to season, unless the driver decides to make a significant change, as happened in the case of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

The number one and the exception for the champion

The only number reserved exclusively in Formula 1 is the number 1and only the reigning world champion has the privilege of wearing it in his car in the following season. However, not all champions opt for this change.

An example is Lewis Hamiltonwho continued to wear his signature number, 44, even after his multiple championships, remaining faithful to the number he has represented throughout his career in Formula 1. On the other hand, Max Verstappen decided to wear the number 1 after winning his first title in 2021, temporarily abandoning his usual number, 33, as a symbol of his position at the pinnacle of motorsport.

History of numbering in Formula 1

Previously, numbers in Formula 1 were assigned according to the team and were not chosen by the drivers. This system, based on the teams’ position in the constructors’ table, had its own logic, in which the champion team would receive the number 1 and 2 for its drivers in the following season. As the seasons progressed, teams acquired specific numbers according to their positions in the championship. Thus, some numbers became symbolic for certain teams; For example, Ferrari was associated with the numbers 27 and 28 in the 1980s.

Personal selection and its meaning

With the change in regulations in 2014, drivers have the possibility of choosing their number between 2 and 99, with that number reserved for them throughout their careers in Formula 1. Each number choice is unique, and the The vast majority of drivers opt for a number that has personal meaning or that has accompanied them since their childhood or their first steps in motorsport.

Many young drivers in categories such as Formula 3 or Formula 2 develop an emotional bond with their numbers and often carry them with them when they move up to Formula 1. For example, Lando Norris He uses the number 4 because he considers it a symbol of luck and persistence since his time in karting.

Numbering of current pilots

Some numbers in Formula 1 stand out because of their history or because of the driver’s special relationship with them. Lewis Hamilton’s 44 is a classic example, as the British driver has used it since his karting days, while Verstappen and the 33 share a similar connection. Other numbers such as Fernando Alonso’s 14 and Sebastian Vettel’s 5 (during his time at Ferrari) have also been representative for the drivers and their fans. This system has allowed some numbers to be exclusively associated with certain drivers in the memory of Formula 1 fans.

Franco Colapinto and the number 43: a special tribute

The Argentinian Franco Colapinto He was fortunate that his favorite number was not being used or kept in reserve. The Buenos Aires native chose 43 because it was the one his father, Aníbal, used in his days as a pilot.

Aníbal had the opportunity to compete on motorcycles and cars, gaining experience in Speedway and Enduro, while he also managed to race in the National Tourism. In all his experiences he used the number 43 for personal taste and Franco also took that characteristic.

“I raced with that number in National Tourism, and Franco in karting used 43, 143 and 243, depending on the category. In Formula 4, which he could choose, he did it with 43. And this year when he was consulted in Formula 1, he also asked for 43, and it was available,” Aníbal La Nueva from Bahía Blanca told him, half of his hometown. , a while ago.

Number selection and exclusivity procedure

The current selection system in Formula 1 works quite directly. Pilots who reach the category can choose any available number between 2 and 99, and once selected, the number is reserved exclusively for that pilot for their entire career..

If a driver leaves Formula 1 and remains out for two full seasons, his number is freed up for other competitors. This ensures that the numbers do not “stack up” and can be reused in the future, thus maintaining dynamism and personalization in the choice.

Special numbers and occasional changes

Although the numbers are usually stable, there are some exceptions and special moments in which a driver can change his number, as happened with Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2022, where he wore a helmet with the number 1 in honor of the memory of Ayrton Senna, without changing his official number. Additionally, certain teams and drivers have reached internal agreements on the use of numbers on some occasions, although this practice is not common.

In short, the numbering system in Formula 1 is a mix of tradition and personalization, allowing drivers to uniquely express their identities while competing at the elite level of motorsport. This dynamic has added an emotional and visual component, for both drivers and fans, who associate specific numbers with iconic moments and personalities within the sport.