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Latifi to run No.6 in F1 as a nod to Toronto
Nicholas Latifi will race with the No.6 in Formula 1, utilizing 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg’s former number.
Rosberg used No.6 until winning the drivers’ championship, whereupon he immediately retired from the sport and therefore never chose between retaining the number or running No.1 the following year. Driver numbers become available again after two consecutive seasons of non-use, and Canadian rookie Latifi has made his pick based on his upbringing.
“The main reason is that 6 is so closely linked to Toronto,” Latifi said. “It’s where I’m from, where I was raised, and the city I’m proud to be representing.
“Toronto is widely referred to as ‘The 6’, which is partly down to Drake, who’s also from Toronto. He mentions the name in one of his early songs, and one of his albums was originally called ‘Views from the 6’.
“Other 6 links are that Toronto was one divided into six districts, and that the two telephone area codes for Toronto start or finish with a six.
“For all these reasons the name has just stuck; anyone who’s from North America knows what ‘The 6’ is – especially if they listen to Drake…
“It also happens to be the number I used for three out of my four seasons in Formula 2. Although that was more by chance, as DAMS was given 5 and 6 because of the finishing positions in the championship. But as soon as we had those numbers, I knew immediately which one I wanted!”
Latifi will make his F1 debut for Williams this season alongside George Russell, earning a promotion to a race seat after finishing as runner-up to Nyck de Vries in last year’s Formula 2 championship.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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