FIA approve F1 strategy group proposals

The FIA have approved the recent F1 strategy group proposals of creating a pole winners trophy and introducing permanent driver numbers.

The ideas were put forward for discussion at the last Formula 1’s Strategy Group meeting, with both approved and set to be implemented for the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship.

The idea’s aren’t significant in the great scheme things and certainly aren’t as radical as the idea of awarded double points for the final race of the season.

But they are very visual, with the hopes of reconnecting with the Formula One audience.

The introduction of a Pole Winners Trophy was thought up after the idea of additional points for topping qualifying was rejected.

The Pole Winners Trophy does exactly what it says on the tin and will be awarded to the driver who earns the most pole positions over the course of the season.

In the ever dominating world of Sebastian Vettel, this would of course mean one additional thing for the German to win.

Over the past five years he would have taken this award four times, in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

In 2012 Lewis Hamilton would have taken the trophy, whilst in 2009 Vettel, Hamilton and Jenson Button would have shared the trophy, although on count-back the German would take the crown.

Another approved proposal will could see a change in Sebastian Vettel carrying the number one on his car for the foreseeable future.

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.

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’.