FIA responds to number changes
World motorsport's governing body the FIA has announced a revised numbering system for next year's Formula 1 World Championship following outcry among the competing teams
The original entry list for next year's championship was released on Monday with teams keeping the same numbers as last year. However certain teams were not happy with this and wanted the numbers to be given according to position in the constructors' standings.
In particular, the Swiss Sauber team had an impressive year to finish fourth, but had been given numbers 16 and 17. Team boss Peter Sauber had voiced his disapproval, and the FIA appears to have responded to the teams' wishes.
A statement from the FIA said: "A number of teams have requested that car numbers for the 2002 championship should follow the world championship order of the previous year, rather than the traditional system under which each team, except that of the world champion, kept its number from year to year."
The biggest change is that Sauber moves up to numbers seven and eight, while the Renault team, formerly known as Benetton, is demoted to 14 and 15. The Prost team, which is still struggling to generate funds to ensure it can compete next year, also moves above Arrows and Minardi.
Provisional entry list
Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Ferrari
Rubens Barrichello, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Ferrari
David Coulthard, West McLaren Mercedes, McLaren-Mercedes
Kimi Raikkonen, West McLaren Mercedes, McLaren-Mercedes
Ralf Schumacher, BMW WilliamsF1 Team, Williams-BMW
Juan Pablo Montoya, BMW WilliamsF1 Team, Williams-BMW
Nick Heidfeld, Sauber Petronas, Sauber-Petronas
Felippe Massa, Sauber Petronas, Sauber-Petronas
Giancarlo Fisichella, Jordan Honda, Jordan-Honda
Takuma Sato, Jordan Honda, Jordan-Honda
Olivier Panis, Lucky Strike BAR Honda, BAR-Honda
Jacques Villeneuve, Lucky Strike BAR Honda, BAR-Honda
Jarno Trulli, Mild Seven Renault F1 Team, Renault
Jenson Button, Mild Seven Renault F1 Team, Renault
Eddie Irvine, Jaguar Racing, Jaguar-Cosworth
Pedro de la Rosa, Jaguar Racing, Jaguar-Cosworth
TBA, TBA Prost TBA, Prost TBA
TBA, TBA Prost TBA, Prost TBA
TBA, Orange Arrows, Arrows-Cosworth
TBA Orange Arrows, Arrows-Cosworth
TBA, TBA Minardi Asiatech, Minardi-Asiatech
TBA, TBA Minardi Asiatech, Minardi-Asiatech
Mika Salo, Panasonic Toyota Racing, Toyota
Allan McNish, Panasonic Toyota Racing, Toyota
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