Formula One drivers will choose permanent car numbers

FIA has now allowed drivers to pick permanent car numbers.

F1 car numbers are typically based on the finishing position from the previous year, with the reigning F1 World Driver's Champion using the number 1, his teammate using the number 2, so on and so forth with regards to team points.

Number 1 will still be retained for the world champion of the previous year, with the rest of the field given a choice from numbers 2 up to 99. The number they choose will be retained by the driver until they retire.

The move is similar to NASCAR, wherein driver's are able to brand their car's number as they wish. F1 hopes this will aid 'commercialization' of the drivers.

Sebastian Vettel has picked the Number 5 but will be using the number 1 next season. Should he be unseated in 2014, he will use Number 5.

Fernando Alonso will be racing car number 14, Kimi Raikkonen will race car 7, Lewis Hamilton will use 44 and Jenson Button will use 22.

Below is the complete list according to ESPN.

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RED BULL RACING

#1 – Sebastian Vettel (#5 is assigned to him when he isn't champion)

#3 – Daniel Ricciardo

MERCEDES GP

#44 – Lewis Hamilton

#6 – Nico Rosberg

SCUDERIA FERRARI

#14 – Fernando Alonso

#7 – Kimi Raikkonen

LOTUS F1 TEAM

#8 – Romain Grosjean

#13 – Pastor Maldonado

MCLAREN

#22 – Jenson Button

#20 – Kevin Magnussen

FORCE INDIA

#27 – Nico Hulkenberg

#11 – Sergio Perez

SAUBER

#99 – Adrian Sutil

#21 – Esteban Gutierrez

SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO

#25 – Jean Eric Vergne

#26 – Daniel Kvyat

WILLIAMS F1

#19 – Felipe Massa

#77 – Valtteri Bottas

MARUSSIA

#17 – Jules Bianchi

TBC – Max Chilton

CATERHAM

To be confirmed