Is number 13 banned in F1

Actually, no. Number 13 isn't officially banned in Formula 1. The FIA never outlawed it. But here's the thing—nearly everyone avoids it like the plague. Since drivers started picking permanent numbers back in 2014, they've had the option to grab anything between 2 and 99. Thirteen's been sitting there, untouched. Nobody's ever claimed it for a full season. Superstition. Pure and simple. It's just... unlucky, you know?

Why do drivers avoid number 13 in F1?

It's triskaidekaphobia—the fear of thirteen. Sounds fancy but it's just a deep-rooted cultural thing. In motorsport and Western culture generally, that number gives people the creeps. Drivers, teams, even race organizers tend to dodge it. Back in the day, entry lists often just skipped number 13 altogether, or they'd give it to some reserve driver nobody expected much from. Remember Brett Lunger in 1976? Yeah, he ran with 13. Never scored a single point. Then there's Pastor Maldonado—used it during practice in 2013, and what happened? Crashed. Hard. So yeah, that superstition? It sticks.

What numbers are banned in F1?

Only one number's truly banned in modern F1: number 1. But it's a weird ban—it's reserved just for the reigning World Champion. If they want it, they grab it, but they can't use their permanent number that season. Number 17 got retired back in 2015, a tribute to Jules Bianchi after that terrible accident. Everything else between 2 and 99 is technically fair game. But 13? Nobody touches it. The FIA also keeps numbers that are already taken or retired out of circulation, for safety and legacy reasons.

List of retired F1 numbers

• Number 17 – Retired after Jules Bianchi's crash in 2014
• Number 1 – Reserved for the reigning champion, not permanently banned

Has any F1 driver ever used number 13?

Yeah, but barely. Since 2014, no driver's run with it for a whole season. You'll see it pop up sometimes in practice or testing—Pastor Maldonado did it at the 2013 Chinese Grand Prix weekend. Before the permanent number system, number 13 showed up now and then. Like Brett Lunger in 1976, driving with it on his Surtees. And way back in the 1950s, a few drivers used it for one-off races. But honestly? It's incredibly rare. Almost nonexistent.

Is number 13 considered unlucky in F1?

Oh, absolutely. Drivers and teams think it's cursed. The superstition runs so deep some guys avoid it in their personal lives too. An FIA survey in 2021 found that 78% of drivers admitted to being "somewhat superstitious" about race numbers. Thirteen's linked to crashes, mechanical failures, just bad results. That Maldonado crash in practice? It just cemented the belief, even though statistically there's zero connection between the number and performance. It's all in the head. But tell that to someone who's just watched their car go up in smoke.

Frequently Asked Questions about number 13 in F1

Data table: Number 13 usage in F1 history

Checklist: What you need to know about number 13 in F1

• Number 13 is not officially banned by the FIA.
• No driver has used it for a full season since 2014.
• Superstition is the main reason for its avoidance.
• Number 13 is available for any driver to choose.
• Only number 1 and 17 are effectively banned or retired.
• Drivers can request number 13 but rarely do.