For the past five years, the F1 drivers have raced with their own chosen racing numbers. Prior to that, the FIA automatically assigned them number from 1 onwards, depending on how many cars were there. Now, for the 2019 season, the new drivers will have to choose their racing numbers.

While the returning Daniil Kvyat will be sticking to his usual number 26, the others will have to choose. Williams’ George Russell will be racing with the number 63 while teammate Robert Kubica will be racing the number 88. McLaren’s Lando Norris will be racing the Number 4. Sauber’s Antonio Giovinazzi will be sporting the number 99. However, Kvyat’s teammate Alexander Albon has yet to confirm his number.

With so much fresh young blood racing alongside experienced drivers, this will be an interesting season. The racing numbers, most of them, were revealed at the same time that Force India’s new name was revealed.

Norris, Kubica and Giovinazzi have all chosen numbers already used since F1 changed its system for 2014. Number 4 formerly belonged to British driver Max Chilton. 88 previously raced by Indonesian driver Rio Haryanto, and 99 used by Germany’s Adrian Sutil.

With regard to Force India’s it was the end of an era for the Indian marquee. The team had been going from strength to strength with each passing year. In fact, for two season in a row, the outfit finish in the Top 4. In the age of the Big 3 teams, they were the best of the rest.

Interestingly, if they hadn’t renamed themselves this year, halfway through the season, they would have ended up 5th. As Force India, the team notched up 59 points, and as Racing Point Force India, they scored 52. It would come to a grand total of 111 points, putting them 11 points behind rivals, Renault.