The numbers game

Sir,

Having enjoyed reading Motor Sport since the 1950s and just finished the most enjoyable January 1994 issue, I feel I must write. I have visited every British GP since 1950 until 10 years ago when I retired from my business. The last two years I have been lucky enough to have been to the Grand Prix at Silverstone; it was nice to get the feel again and the excitement and atmosphere.

I was so surprised one couldn’t see the numbers of the cars taking part, except on the front if lucky. In the past the cars had the numbers on the side as well as the front (not a small number on the rear aerofoil, obscured by the wheel most times).

How can one follow the progress of a driver (not the leaders of the pack, we all know them) whom you feel is driving well and would like to check his name, make of car etc in the programme? If the teams could be persuaded to put larger numbers on the cars, I’m certain the real keen race goers amongst us would feel we are getting a little more value for money from the high cost of a grandstand seat.

Mansell’s IndyCar has visible No 5s on the side, front and rear. Why not Formula One cars?

John Morton, Barton-on-Sea, Hants