Alonso makes his number selection

One of the less controversial plans approved by the F1 strategy group meeting was the introduction of permanent race numbers for drivers.

Formula One team bosses Christian Horner, Ross Brawn, Martin Whitmarsh, Stefano Domenicali, Claire Williams and Eric Boullier were all in favour of drivers having a permanent number to wear throughout their career.

Although despite team approval, the implementation of the scheme will not involve the teams.

The marketing chaps obviously love it as it gives a driver an identity and a driver would have the choice of sticking with their number or switching to number one when winning the F1 title.

The drivers are currently in the process of selecting three numbers in preferred choice order.

If a number of drivers select the same number, then this will be awarded via a ballot.

Not many drivers have gone public with their thoughts on a permanent number.

It is believed that Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has requested number 6 as this is the number his father raced with when he won the 1982 title.

Force India driver Sergio Perez favours the number 11 as he raced this number on Karting and GP2, while Bottas took to Twitter to gather ideas of running 77, to create a boy race style number plate of ‘Bo77as’, his Williams team-mate for next season Felipe Massa appears to be edging towards 19.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso would like to take the number 14 for superstitious reasons.

‘I will use 14, It has been my lucky number since 1996, when, while I was 14, on July 14 and with kart number 14 I won the world championship.’ Alonso told reporters in Madrid as quoted by Autosport Magazine.

‘Since then I have always used 14. Hopefully it will be lucky next year.’