FIA president Jean Todt: Formula 1 drivers should be assigned permanent race numbers
International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt has said that Formula 1 drivers should have permanent race numbers which can be displayed prominently as it is done in the NASCAR.
However, he said that this change is not going to be an easy one to execute so abruptly since it is a big one.
Todt stated that the drivers’ names should also be displayed on their cars in order to make it easier for the audience to recognise them easily during the races.
“Like in NASCAR ... a driver who is arriving in Formula One, he gets a number. He would keep it for all of his career. You could identify a driver with a number. At the moment, you don't find the number, you don't find the name,” Todt said.
However, he admitted that it is not as simple as it sounds even though he is the FIA president. Making changes without any major requirement or logic is not allowed at all and Jean does not want to “dictate or impose” his ideas on the organisation and the
people being affected by it.
He stated that the teams are subject to their own opinion regarding the matter and it is believed that they will object to this proposal as it would leave less space for their sponsors.
“You need to have some strong ground for changing. You need to have a minimum of positive opinion among the group in Formula One. So far, unfortunately, they are not interested, they are quite happy. It will come ... it will change,” he said.
He added that the FIA is aware of the need to keep Formula 1 more affordable and clean. He said that one of the main objectives of the organisation was to reduce the amount of money spent by the teams for their cars’ development.
Implementation of new technologies is also encouraged in Formula 1 and keeping all the aspects in mind, the FIA is thinking of implementing an electronic system for the Formula 1 cars but the idea is still in its initial stages and will take some time to
mature.
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