Max Verstappen, the dominant force in Formula 1 for the past three seasons, has proudly displayed the No. 1 on his car, a privilege reserved for the reigning champion. However, the 2026 Formula 1 season will usher in a change for the Dutch driver. Following Lando Norris’s hard-fought championship victory, where he narrowly edged out Verstappen by a mere two points in the dramatic final race, Norris now holds the right to claim the coveted No. 1.
While the champion is permitted to sport the No. 1, it’s not a mandatory choice. Drivers can opt to retain their permanent racing number, a personal selection made upon entering Formula 1. A prime example is seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. He utilized the No. 1 for a single season in 2009, during a period when its use was compulsory for the reigning champion. For his six other championship triumphs, Hamilton consistently chose his signature No. 44, as the adoption of No. 1 became optional. The number displayed on an F1 car is purely symbolic and carries no bearing on a driver’s starting position; it serves as a prestigious emblem of their championship status.
In contrast, other competitors on the grid are bound to their chosen permanent numbers, a rule established in 2014. With Norris’s maiden drivers’ title secured at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he now has the option to embrace the No. 1. Consequently, Verstappen will be required to revert to his original F1 racing number, which is 33.
The Evolution of F1 Driver Numbers
How Drivers Select Their Numbers Today
In 2014, Formula 1 introduced a significant rule change, empowering drivers to select a unique number between 2 and 99, which they would carry throughout their entire Formula 1 careers. This initiative was designed to foster stronger personal brands for drivers, a strategy successfully employed by Lewis Hamilton with his “LH44” branding.
While a driver’s chosen number is exclusively theirs during their active F1 career, there’s a provision allowing them to retain it for up to two years after retiring from the sport. This measure prevents a new competitor from immediately adopting a recently vacated number. However, the regulations implemented in 2014 are currently under review. Discussions within the Formula 1 Commission have explored the possibility of allowing drivers to change their numbers mid-career. If this proposal gains approval, it could potentially be implemented as early as the 2026 season.
Max Verstappen, the former world champion, is reportedly considering a switch to the No. 3 for his future racing endeavors. This move stems from his debut in F1 in 2015, where he was unable to select No. 3 as it was already occupied by Daniel Ricciardo, leading him to adopt No. 33. Notably, the number 17 has been permanently retired by Formula 1 following the tragic passing of Jules Bianchi in 2015, ensuring it will never be used again.
Historical Numbering Systems in F1
The freedom drivers have today to choose their numbers is a relatively recent development. In the nascent years of Formula 1, driver and team numbers were assigned arbitrarily and often changed from one race to the next. A more structured system emerged in the 1970s, where the reigning world champion and their teammate were allocated No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Other teams were assigned fixed pairs of numbers, such as No. 5 and No. 6. These numbers remained with the teams, with the exception being the team of the newly crowned world champion, which would then inherit the No. 1 and No. 2.
A further evolution of the numbering system occurred in 1996. Driver numbers were then determined by the previous year’s Constructors’ Championship standings. However, a crucial exception remained: the reigning Drivers’ Champion and their teammate were still permitted to use No. 1 and No. 2, irrespective of their team’s performance in the Constructors’ standings. This scenario played out in the 2000 season. Ferrari, having won the Constructors’ championship the prior year, used numbers 3 and 4. Meanwhile, Mika Häkkinen of McLaren, who clinched the Drivers’ title, along with his teammate David Coulthard, utilized the prestigious No. 1 and No. 2.
The Significance Behind Unique F1 Numbers
Lewis Hamilton’s choice to race with No. 44, despite having the option of No. 1, is deeply rooted in personal sentiment. The seven-time world champion has used this number since he was eight years old. The origin of No. 44 traces back to the license plate of his father’s car. Kimi Antonelli, who succeeded Hamilton at Mercedes, has opted for No. 12 as a tribute to his childhood idol and a shared hero with Hamilton, the legendary Ayrton Senna.
Williams driver Alex Albon also honors his hero, MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi. Instead of adopting Rossi’s iconic No. 46, Albon chose half of that number, selecting 23. Pierre Gasly’s choice of No. 10 is inspired by his admiration for French football legend Zinedine Zidane.
Other drivers, such as Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso, imbue their number choices with superstitious significance. Leclerc’s selection of No. 16 aligns with his birth date. Fernando Alonso’s preference for No. 14 is linked to his karting world championship victory at the age of 14, achieved in a kart bearing the same number, and also because he was born on the 14th of the month. These personal connections and tributes underscore the individuality and storytelling that numbers bring to the world of Formula 1.