F1 Driver Numbers: Full list of driver numbers in Formula 1 and why they chose it

F1 Driver Numbers: Full list of driver numbers on their car and reason behind why few prominent drivers chose it to display on their cars.

A Formula 1 car number just like any other sport is used to identify the driver on the track. One can choose a number from 0 to 99 to be printed in their car.

The exception is with number 1 as only the world champion is allowed to utilize that number on their car. The numbers cannot be reallocated unless the driver has not driven in the sport for two seasons.

Moreover, following the death of Jules Bianchi, the FIA decided to permanently retire the number 17 he drove with before his accident.

Until 2013, the numbers were allocated with two rules: the previous season’s World Champion used the number 1 following the Champion and his team-mate (car number 2), the teams were ordered by their position in the previous season’s Constructors’ Championship.

For a lot of years, number 13 was out of consideration for Formula 1 teams as per racing tradition. Therefore, there are several traditions, beliefs, and myths around drivers opting for a specific number on the grid.

Full list of F1 Driver Numbers

1. Daniel Ricciardo – 3, Renault
2. Lando Norris – 4, McLaren
3. Sebastian Vettel – 5, Ferrari
4. Nicholas Latifi – 6, Williams
5. Kimi Raikkonen – 7, Alfa Romeo
6. Romain Grosjean – 8, Haas
7. Pierre Gasly – 10, Alpha Tauri
8. Sergio Perez – 11, Racing Point
9. Charles Leclerc – 16, Ferrari
10. Lance Stroll – 18, Racing Point
11. Kevin Magnussen – 20, Haas
12. Alex Albon – 23, Red Bull
13. Daniil Kvyat – 26, Alpha Tauri
14. Esteban Ocon – 31, Renault
15. Max Verstappen – 33, Red Bull
16. Lewis Hamilton – 44, Mercedes
17. Carlos Sainz – 55, McLaren
18. George Russel – 63, Williams
19. Valtteri Bottas – 77, Mercedes
20. Antonio Giovinazzi – 99, Alfa Romeo

Also read: Silverstone F1 2021 Tickets: Where to buy tickets for Formula One Silverstone Grand Prix?

Why some racers use a particular number

Sebastian Vettel has a clear cut reason for using number 5, it has been claimed that Vettel is using that number since his karting days and finds it lucky for him, as he won the 2001 German Kart Championship.

Whereas Daniel Ricciardo also finds his number 3 lucky for him, therefore he uses it. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton 44 was used by him throughout his go-karting career, which is still continuing in his F1 days.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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