In Formula 1, every driver uses a fixed number that distinguishes them from others. During a Grand Prix, where drivers’ faces are not visible, these numbers help identify them more quickly.
Before 2014, starting numbers were assigned based on the previous year’s championship standings. Now, drivers can choose their own numbers—from 2 to 99—while the reigning world champion has the option to replace their number with the coveted #1. Max Verstappen, for example, initially raced with #33.
For many drivers, there’s a unique story behind their chosen number. It could be their lucky number or hold a special memory. So, what lies behind the numbers chosen by this season’s drivers?
The meaning behind numbers 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10
Lando Norris’s #4 was not his first choice. The British McLaren driver initially wanted #11 or #31, but both were unavailable when he entered F1. He eventually chose #4 because it fit well with his logo, which forms a “4” in the negative space between his initials “L” and “N.”
Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto took #5, which previously belonged to Sebastian Vettel. The young Brazilian chose it because he used the same number when he won the F3 championship with Trident in 2022.
Isack Hadjar and Jack Doohan, both rookies, now hold #6 and #7, respectively. Hadjar chose #6 as it was his karting number, while Doohan selected #7 to honor Kimi Räikkönen, who used it from 2014 to 2021. Doohan also raced with #7 in EuroFormula Open for Räikkönen’s team.
Pierre Gasly races with #10 for Alpine, a number he used in the Formula Renault European Series in 2013. It’s also a tribute to French footballer Zinedine Zidane, who wore #10 for the national team.
What’s behind numbers 12, 14, 16, 18, and 22?
Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, chose #12. It’s the number Ayrton Senna used from 1985 to 1988, but Antonelli picked it as it was his number during his F4 win in 2022 and his FRECA victory in 2023.
Fernando Alonso’s #14, used for Aston Martin, is a number chosen by fate. On July 14, 1996, at the age of 14, he won the karting world championship driving a kart with #14. “From that moment, I knew 14 was my number,” Alonso said.
Charles Leclerc’s #16 for Ferrari was not his first choice. He initially wanted #7 or #10, but both were taken. He opted for #16 because he was born on October 16, 1997, and also because 1+6 equals 7, his favorite number.
Lance Stroll selected #18 for Aston Martin because he used it during his F4 championship win in 2015 and his European F3 title in 2016.
Yuki Tsunoda, driving for Red Bull, races with #22. Originally, he wanted #11, but it was taken. He doubled it to #22, which is also a tribute to Jenson Button, a driver Tsunoda greatly admires, and to Takuma Sato, who raced with the same number.
The stories behind 23, 27, 30, 31, and 1/33
Alexander Albon chose #23. Like Lando Norris, Albon is a huge fan of Valentino Rossi. During his karting days, he used #46 but switched to half that number in F1.
Nico Hülkenberg went with #27, derived from adding his birth date, August 19 (19+8=27).
Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon chose #30 and #31, respectively. Lawson’s choice was inspired by his karting coach Mat Kinsman, while Ocon’s came from the kart he used during his highly successful 2007 season.
Max Verstappen currently uses #1 as the reigning world champion but originally raced with #33. Early in his F1 career, Verstappen wanted #3, his lucky number, but it was already taken by Daniel Ricciardo. He opted for #33, saying it “doubles the luck.”
Why they chose 44, 55, 63, 81, and 87
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton races with #44, inspired by the license plate of his family car, which began with F44. It became his karting number and stayed with him throughout his career.
Carlos Sainz races with #55, reasoning similarly to Verstappen. His first choice was #5, but it was taken. He doubled it to #55, which also matches the two consecutive “S” in his name due to their similar shape.
George Russell’s #63 is a family number. His brother used it during his karting days, and Russell continued the tradition.
Oscar Piastri chose #81, his karting number. Initially, he found only a #1 sticker available at a store, then added #8 later to form #81.
Rookie Oliver Bearman selected #87, which his father David Bearman used in motorsport. The number honors his sons Oliver (born May 8) and Thomas (born August 7).
Which starting number is retired in F1?
Drivers can choose a number from 2 to 99, but #17 has been retired to honor Jules Bianchi. It is permanently unavailable in F1.
There’s also a rule that reserves a number for two years if a driver leaves the sport. If they return within that time, they can reclaim their number. For example, Fernando Alonso returned with #14 after two years away. The same applies to Alexander Albon, Daniel Ricciardo, Kevin Magnussen, and Nico Hülkenberg.
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