Alexandre
The numbers chosen by Formula 1 are not just random numbersbut often personal symbols or tributes to key moments in their careers. Each number carries a special meaning, often because of a special connection with a key event. For the 2025 F1 seasonOnce again, the drivers have chosen numbers that tell a story.
Between chance and homage
Lando Norris (McLaren) chose #4, a number that wasn't his first choice, but which has personal significance. He had originally considered the numbers #11 or #31, but these were already taken. In the end, he opted for #4, as it fits in 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 VettelThis number also marked a milestone for Bortoleto. The number also marked an important milestone for Bortoleto, as he used it to win the F3 championship in 2022.
Isack Hadjar and Jack DoohanHadjar and Doohan, both rookies, chose the numbers #6 and #7 respectively. Hadjar chose #6, his karting number, while Doohan opted for #7 in homage to Kimi Räikkönenwhich extended it from 2014 to 2021.
Pierre Gasly is #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 for his national team.
Likewise, Yuki Tsunoda chose the #22, a tribute to his admiration for Jenson Button and his own karting career.
Historical references
The drivers' numbers for the 2025 season are also tinged with historical references. Fernando Alonsowho will race with Aston Martin's #14, chose this number after winning the karting world championship in 1996, when he was just 14 years old. The number has become a symbol of his career since that day.
Charles Leclercwith #16, chose this number for two reasons: he was born on October 16, 1997, and the sum of 1 + 6 gives 7, his lucky number.
The #18 from Lance Stroll recalls its victorious past in F4 and in F3where he wore it for their respective titles.
Between good luck and personal history
Max Verstappenthe current 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 recalls a time when he was still F1's young prodigy, wearing this number with boundless energy.
Lewis Hamiltonseven-time world champion, will continue to race with #44, a number with a very personal meaning. The number comes from the license plate of the family car, the "F44". The number has been with him since his early days in karting, and has become a symbol of his F1 successes.
Other rare numbers with their symbols
There are also rarer numbers, such as the #27 from Nico Hülkenbergwhich is the result of a special addition: the sum of his date of birth, August 19 (19+8=27). Other pilots, such as Carlos Sainzwith the #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 names. The Spanish pilot, for example, displays the graphic Carlo55ainz.
Oscar Piastri chose #81, a number he took after seeing that a #1 sticker was the only one available, which he then accompanied with #8 to form #81.
Finally, one number is definitely out of reach: the #17. This issue has been withdrawn in tribute to Jules Bianchia promising driver who tragically died in an accident at 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: déjà-vu!
In 2025, Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrariand although it brings with it its emblematic #44But he wasn't the first to win an F1 race with this number. That was in 1955, Maurice Trintignant became the first driver to win a Grand Prix with #44, when he triumphed in Monaco at the wheel of the Ferrari 375MM.