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LONDON, England - Jules Bianchi's racing number 17 has been retired from use in Formula 1 since the French driver’s death, the sport's governing body has announced..
The International Automobile Federation said on its website ojn Monday (July 20 2015): "As F1 car numbers are now personally chosen by each driver the federation believes it to be an appropriate gesture to retire Jules Bianchi's No.17.
“This number can no longer be used for a car competing in the Formula 1 championship."
FUNERAL IN NICE
Bianchi died in hospital nine months after sustaining severe head injuries in the October 2014 Japanese F1 GP. His Marussia race car crashed into and under a heavy recovery tractor that was moving another car away from a tyre wall.
Bianchi’s funeral will be in the southern French city of Nice on Tuesday (July 21) with F1 then re-grouping in Hungary for the 10th race of the season on Sunday (July 26).
The 2014 season was the first after a rule change that allowed drivers to choose their car’s number; 17 was not Bianchi's first choice. He had preferred 7, 27 or 77 but each was taken by a driver ranked ahead of him according to the previous year's standings.
Since his crash the #JB17 hashtag has become familiar on Twitter as an expression of support and affection for the popular young driver.