The numbers chosen by Formula 1 drivers are not just numbers chosen at randombut often personal symbols or tributes to notable moments in their career. Each number carries a special meaning, often due to a special connection with a key event. For the 2025 F1 seasonthe pilots once again chose numbers that tell a story.
Between chance and homage
Lando Norris (McLaren) chose #4, a number that wasn’t his first choice, but has personal meaning. He had first considered numbers #11 or #31, but the latter were already taken. Ultimately, he settled on #4 because that number fits perfectly with his logo, where the shape of the “L” and “N” creates a “4” in negative space.
Gabriel Bortoletothe Brazilian rookie, chose #5, the same number as his model, Sebastian Vettelcarried throughout his career. The number also marked a milestone for Bortoleto, as he used it to clinch the F3 championship title in 2022.
Isack Hadjar et Jack Doohantwo rookies, respectively chose numbers #6 and #7. Hadjar chose #6, his karting number, while Doohan opted for #7 in homage to Kimi Raikkonenwhich carried it from 2014 to 2021.
Pierre Gasly wears #10 at Alpine, a number that evokes its past in Formula Renault in 2013 and also pays tribute to Zinedine Zidanethe legendary French footballer who wore this number in the national team.
Likewise, Yuki Tsunoda chose #22, a tribute to his admiration for Jenson Button and his own karting journey.
Historical references
The driver numbers for the 2025 season are also tinged with historical references. Fernando Alonsowho will race with #14 for Aston Martin, chose this number after winning the karting world championship in 1996, when he was just 14 years old. This number has become a symbol of his journey since that day.
Charles Leclercwith #16, chose this number for two reasons: he was born on October 16, 1997, and what’s more, the sum of 1 + 6 gives 7, his lucky number.
-#18 of Lance Stroll recalls his victorious past in F4 and in F3where he wore it during his respective titles.
Between lucky charm and personal story
Max Verstappencurrently the world champion, uses #1 in 2025, as is tradition for the reigning champion. But when he started out, he chose #33, a lucky number for him. He explained that he considered #33 to double his luck. It’s reminiscent of a time when he was still F1’s young prodigy, wearing that number with boundless energy.
Lewis Hamiltonseven-time world champion, will continue to race with #44, a number that has a very personal meaning. This number comes from the license plate of the family car, “F44”. This number has accompanied him since his beginnings in karting and has become a symbol of his success in F1.
Other rare numbers with their symbols
There are also rarer numbers, like the #27 of Nico Hulkenbergwhich is the result of a particular addition: the sum of his date of birth, August 19 (19+8=27). Other drivers, like Carlos Sainzalong with #55, also have unique stories behind their choice, often linked to personal experiences or aesthetic reasons, such as the shapes of the letters in their name. The Spanish driver displays for example the graphics Carlo55ainz.
Oscar Piastri chose #81, a number he took after seeing that a #1 sticker was the only one available, which he then paired with #8 to form #81.
Finally, one number remains definitively out of reach: the #17. This number was retired in homage to Jules Bianchia promising driver who tragically died following an accident during the Japanese Grand Prix in 2014. This number is now reserved in memory of the young Frenchman and can no longer be used by any driver.
Lewis Hamilton, number 44 and Ferrari: deja vu!
In 2025, Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrariand although it brings with it its iconic #44he will not be the first to achieve an F1 victory with this number. In 1955, Maurice Trintignant became the first driver to win a Grand Prix with the #44, when he triumphed in Monaco, driving the Ferrari 375MM.
