Expert: Adam - 7/27/2005

Question
Hi Adam,

I have noteced this season (although it has probbably been the case for some time) that one of each F1 teams 2 cars have orange tape on the post above the airbox. Obviously this is designed to enable quick differentiation between team-mates (even if helmets also do this) - but is it also the case (it certainly appears so) that the teams Number 1 driver gets the orange tape? As far as I can see this appears true, but I have been unable to confirm.

Thanks Mate

Answer
Dear Andrew,

Broadly yes, the "Number 1 drivers" have the tape in their teams.

I have looked at this year's F1 teams for you to see who has the 'tape'.
Ferrari = MS
McLaren = KR
Williams = NH
Renault = FA
BAR = JB
Red Bull = DC
Sauber = JV
Toyota = JT
Minardi = PF/RD
Jordan = TM

In most cases then the no. 1 driver has the tape, but for Williams, it isn't clear if there is a no 1 driver. Webber is no.7 and Heidfeld no.8 but Heidfeld has the tape.

Ditto at Jordan/Minardi where the driver with the higher number (Monteiro/Freisacher) has the tape rather than Karthikeyan/Albers (18/20).

A good F1 photo archive is at :
http://www.f1galaxy.com//index.php

Hope this answers your question,
Adam