The new year has begun, and in the month of January, we continue our now classic column, Start Number, with this time the choice of Sebastian Vettel for number 5. Is it thanks to Michael Schumacher or Nigel Mansell? As it turns out, neither.
Like many other drivers, Vettel stated years ago that start number 5 has everything to do with karting successes. “I knew from that moment that I would like to race with that number.” The opportunity in Formula 1 came when the drivers were allowed to choose their own numbers in 2014.
So, it was not a tribute to Michael Schumacher, who Vettel claims was his childhood idol. And ‘Schumi’ had already achieved success with number 5. Just like Mansell, the man who, like Vettel, once made a much-discussed move to Ferrari. But while the Englishman achieved success in both Formula 1 and Indycar with start number 5, Vettel did not.
If number 5 had ever been a lucky number for the German, it certainly isn’t anymore. After four championships with Red Bull Racing, a fifth world title did not materialize. It was Vettel’s dream to win a championship with Ferrari, but it did not happen. The move to Aston Martin, in the autumn of his career, also did not bring him success. And so, the combination with start number 5 never became what Vettel had expected.
