With the 2025 Formula 1 season just around the corner, driver numbers are officially confirmed, setting the stage for an adrenaline-filled and thrilling campaign ✨. This year, with 25% of the grid composed of rookies, we’ll see some new numbers in action, many of them rich in history. Get ready to spot your favorite drivers at every turn! 🏎⚡
WHY DO DRIVERS HAVE NUMBERS?
In the past, F1 numbers were assigned based on the teams’ standings from the previous year’s championship. However, since 2014, the rule changed, allowing drivers to select a personal number that would identify them throughout their careers. This not only strengthens each driver’s personal brand but also makes it easier for fans to follow their idols 🚀.
A prime example is Lewis Hamilton, who has turned the number 44 into his trademark since his karting days. This number also inspired the creation of Mission 44, his charitable organization focused on promoting diversity and inclusion in motorsport.
HOW DO DRIVERS CHOOSE THEIR NUMBERS?
Drivers can choose between numbers 2 and 99, which then become their permanent identifier in Formula 1. If a driver retires, their number is reserved for two years before becoming available again. The number 1, however, is reserved for the world champion, although its use is optional. Currently, Max Verstappen races with the number 1, though he previously used 33.
The choice of number often stems from personal reasons or superstitions. For instance, Charles Leclerc chose the number 16 after his initial picks, 7 and 10, were already taken. “One plus six equals seven, and I was born on October 16,” Leclerc explained.
For Fernando Alonso, the number 14 holds special meaning: “When I was 14 years old, on July 14, with kart number 14, I became world champion. Since then, 14 has been my lucky number” 🏆.
THE COMPLETE LIST OF NUMBERS FOR 2025
Here are the numbers you’ll see on the 2025 F1 grid, including the rookies who are arriving with high expectations ⭐:
ALPINE
Jack Doohan – #7 (Previously: Kimi Raikkonen)
Pierre Gasly – #10 (Previously: Kamui Kobayashi)
ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso – #14 (No previous owner)
Lance Stroll – #18 (No previous owner)
FERRARI
Charles Leclerc – #16 (No previous owner)
Lewis Hamilton – #44 (No previous owner)
HAAS
Esteban Ocon – #31 (No previous owner)
Oliver Bearman – #87 (No previous owner)
KICK SAUBER
Gabriel Bortoleto – #5 (Previously: Sebastian Vettel)
Nico Hulkenberg – #27 (No previous owner)
McLAREN
Lando Norris – #4 (Previously: Max Chilton)
Oscar Piastri – #81 (No previous owner)
MERCEDES
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – #12 (Previously: Felipe Nasr)
George Russell – #63 (No previous owner)
RACING BULL
Isack Hadjar – #6 (Previously: Nico Rosberg/Nicholas Latifi)
Yuki Tsunoda – #22 (Previously: Jenson Button)
RED BULL
Max Verstappen – #1 (Reserved for the world champion)
Liam Lawson – #30 (Previously: Jolyon Palmer)
WILLIAMS
Alex Albon – #23 (No previous owner)
Carlos Sainz – #55 (No previous owner)
2025 promises to be an unforgettable season in Formula 1! Get ready to feel the speed and passion in every race! 🏎🚗🔥
