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PARIS, France - Newly re-elected International Automobile Federation president Jean Todt says he supports moves to reinstate permanent race numbers for Formula 1 drivers.
In an earlier era F1 fans became accustomed to a number representing their favourite driver - Gilles Villeneuve's 27 or the red '5' of Nigel Mansell - but in recent years numbers have simply been assigned by the federation on the basis of a team's position in the annual Constructors' championship.
'VERY SUPPORTIVE'
It emerged recently, however, that a push is on to bring back permanent race numbers, with the obvious exception being the '1' of the reigning champion.
"I am very supportive of that," Frenchman Todt was quoted as saying by France's L'Equipe. "It would be nice for the drivers to keep their race number, with the exception of the champion who always displays No.1.
"When I watch a GP now I cannot see the name or the number of the driver. I know they need space on cars for sponsors but there are solutions - we could put a number on helmets."
In an earlier era F1 fans became accustomed to a number representing their favourite driver - Gilles Villeneuve's 27 or the red '5' of Nigel Mansell - but in recent years numbers have simply been assigned by the federation on the basis of a team's position in the annual Constructors' championship.
'VERY SUPPORTIVE'
It emerged recently, however, that a push is on to bring back permanent race numbers, with the obvious exception being the '1' of the reigning champion.
"I am very supportive of that," Frenchman Todt was quoted as saying by France's L'Equipe. "It would be nice for the drivers to keep their race number, with the exception of the champion who always displays No.1.
"When I watch a GP now I cannot see the name or the number of the driver. I know they need space on cars for sponsors but there are solutions - we could put a number on helmets."