In System 1, each driver makes use of a hard and fast quantity that distinguishes them from others. Throughout a Grand Prix, the place drivers’ faces aren’t seen, these numbers assist determine them extra shortly.
Earlier than 2014, beginning numbers had been assigned primarily based on the earlier yr’s championship standings. Now, drivers can select their very own numbers—from 2 to 99—whereas the reigning world champion has the choice to interchange their quantity with the coveted #1. Max Verstappen, for instance, initially raced with #33.
For a lot of drivers, there’s a singular story behind their chosen quantity. It might be their fortunate quantity or maintain a particular reminiscence. So, what lies behind the numbers chosen by this season’s drivers?
The which means behind numbers 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10
Lando Norris’s #4 was not his first alternative. The British McLaren driver initially needed #11 or #31, however each had been unavailable when he entered F1. He ultimately selected #4 as a result of it match effectively along with his emblem, which varieties a “4” within the damaging house between his initials “L” and “N.”
Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto took #5, which beforehand belonged to Sebastian Vettel. The younger Brazilian selected it as a result of he used the identical quantity when he gained the F3 championship with Trident in 2022.
Isack Hadjar and Jack Doohan, each rookies, now maintain #6 and #7, respectively. Hadjar selected #6 because it was his karting quantity, whereas Doohan chosen #7 to honor Kimi Räikkönen, who used it from 2014 to 2021. Doohan additionally raced with #7 in EuroFormula Open for Räikkönen’s group.
Pierre Gasly races with #10 for Alpine, a quantity he used within the System Renault European Sequence in 2013. It’s additionally a tribute to French footballer Zinedine Zidane, who wore #10 for the nationwide group.
What’s behind numbers 12, 14, 16, 18, and 22?
Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, selected #12. It’s the quantity Ayrton Senna used from 1985 to 1988, however Antonelli picked it because it was his quantity throughout his F4 win in 2022 and his FRECA victory in 2023.
Fernando Alonso’s #14, used for Aston Martin, is a quantity chosen by destiny. On July 14, 1996, on the age of 14, he gained the karting world championship driving a kart with #14. “From that second, I knew 14 was my quantity,” Alonso stated.
Charles Leclerc’s #16 for Ferrari was not his first alternative. He initially needed #7 or #10, however each had been taken. He opted for #16 as a result of he was born on October 16, 1997, and likewise as a result of 1+6 equals 7, his favourite quantity.
Lance Stroll chosen #18 for Aston Martin as a result of he used it throughout his F4 championship win in 2015 and his European F3 title in 2016.
Yuki Tsunoda, driving for Purple Bull, races with #22. Initially, he needed #11, however it was taken. He doubled it to #22, which can also be a tribute to Jenson Button, a driver Tsunoda enormously admires, and to Takuma Sato, who raced with the identical quantity.
The tales behind 23, 27, 30, 31, and 1/33
Alexander Albon selected #23. Like Lando Norris, Albon is a big fan of Valentino Rossi. Throughout his karting days, he used #46 however switched to half that quantity in F1.
Nico Hülkenberg went with #27, derived from including his start date, August 19 (19+8=27).
Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon selected #30 and #31, respectively. Lawson’s alternative was impressed by his karting coach Mat Kinsman, whereas Ocon’s got here from the kart he used throughout his extremely profitable 2007 season.
Max Verstappen at present makes use of #1 because the reigning world champion however initially raced with #33. Early in his F1 profession, Verstappen needed #3, his fortunate quantity, however it was already taken by Daniel Ricciardo. He opted for #33, saying it “doubles the luck.”
Why they selected 44, 55, 63, 81, and 87
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton races with #44, impressed by the license plate of his household automobile, which started with F44. It grew to become his karting quantity and stayed with him all through his profession.
Carlos Sainz races with #55, reasoning equally to Verstappen. His first alternative was #5, however it was taken. He doubled it to #55, which additionally matches the 2 consecutive “S” in his title as a result of their comparable form.
George Russell’s #63 is a household quantity. His brother used it throughout his karting days, and Russell continued the custom.
Oscar Piastri selected #81, his karting quantity. Initially, he discovered solely a #1 sticker obtainable at a retailer, then added #8 later to type #81.
Rookie Oliver Bearman chosen #87, which his father David Bearman utilized in motorsport. The quantity honors his sons Oliver (born Might 8) and Thomas (born August 7).
Which beginning quantity is retired in F1?
Drivers can select a quantity from 2 to 99, however #17 has been retired to honor Jules Bianchi. It’s completely unavailable in F1.
There’s additionally a rule that reserves a quantity for 2 years if a driver leaves the game. In the event that they return inside that point, they’ll reclaim their quantity. For instance, Fernando Alonso returned with #14 after two years away. The identical applies to Alexander Albon, Daniel Ricciardo, Kevin Magnussen, and Nico Hülkenberg.
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