Quadruple Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel went for five yesterday with the German choosing to have that numeral on his car when he is eventually deposed as number one.

Under new regulations for 2014, Formula One drivers will have permanent racing numbers to be used throughout their careers from now on and can choose any between two and 99.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) published the official list with some surprises among the selections.

Vettel, who will have the number one on his Red Bull this season, opted for the number that many fans associate with Britain’s 1992 champion Nigel Mansell who was often referred to as ‘Red Five’.

Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado opted to have 13, a number considered unlucky in many countries but lucky in others, on his Lotus.

Traditionally, the number 13 has not been used.

Daniel Ricciardo, who has joined Vettel at Red Bull, will race as number three.

Previously, the smiling Australian would have had to have the number two on his car as the champion’s team-mate – a status very few racing drivers willingly accept and none chose.

The numbers confirmed
1 or 5 – Vettel (Red Bull)
3 – Ricciardo (Red Bull)
44 – Hamilton (Mercedes)
6 – Rosberg (Mercedes)
14 – Alonso (Ferrari)
7 – Raikkonen (Ferrari)
8 – Grosjean (Lotus)
13 – Maldonado (Lotus)
22 – Button (McLaren)
20 – Magnussen (McLaren)
27 – Hulkenberg (Force India)
11 – Perez (Force India)
99 – Sutil (Sauber)
21 – Gutierrez (Sauber)
25 – Vergne (Toro Rosso)
26 – Kvyat (Toro Rosso)
19 – Massa (Williams)
77 – Bottas (Williams)
17 – Bianchi (Marussia)