Drivers have numbers for the fans and officials to easily identify drivers. These numbers help drivers build brands, like Lando Norris (number 4) and his brand Quadrant, and they can also have personal significance, such as birthdays. 

From 2014 to now, drivers have been able to pick their own numbers up to 99. Drivers can choose any number for any reason, and usually choose something with meaning to them, such as birthdays or heroes.

There are two expectations in them: being able to pick any number. Number 1 is reserved for the reigning Drivers Champion, though it is up to them to take it. One example of the champion not taking the number 1 is Lewis Hamilton, who kept the number 44 for most of his season as champion. The other exception is number 17, retired in tribute to Jules Bianchi, who passed away from injuries sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

For Alpine, Pierre Gasly uses the number 10, previously worn by Kamui Kobayashi. Franco Colapinto used number 43 and is the first driver to do so.

On Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso has used #14 permanently since 2014. Alonso has also notably used the number 1 after both of his championships. Lance Stroll used the number 18, which hasn’t been used by anyone else.

Next, Audi’s, formerly Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto uses #5, which was previously used by former 4-time World Champion, Sebastian Vettel. Nico Hulkenberg uses the number 27 and has since numbers became permanent.

Cadillac may be a new team, but they are bringing back former drivers with their old numbers. Sergio Perez uses the number 11, and Valtteri Bottas uses the number 77. Both have used them since 2014.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc wears the number 16 and is one of the few drivers with no real meaning behind it. Both of the numbers he wanted, 7 and 10, were taken when he entered F1, so he settled on 16 because adding them together equalled 7. Lewis Hamilton uses the number 44, a number that has since become synonymous with him, so it is no surprise that he has used it since 2014.

Both of Haas’ drivers use numbers that have never been used in F1 before. Esteban Ocon uses #31, and Oliver Bearman uses #87.

McLaren has a number change for this season with Lando Norris. Because he is the World Champion, he can use the number 1, and he chose to do so, changing from his recognizable number 4. The other McLaren driver, Oscar Piastri, uses #81, which he has used since joining F1 in 2023.

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli uses #12, which was previously used by Felipe Nasr. George Russell uses #63 and is the only driver who has done so.On Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson uses the number 30, which was previously used by Jolyon Palmer. Also on Racing Bulls is rookie driver Arvid Lindblad, who brings a new number with him, using number 41.

Red Bull is another team seeing a number change, with Max Verstappen not being able to use #1 for the first time in 4 years. Previously, he used #33, as the number he wanted, #3, was taken by Daniel Ricciardo, but now in 2026, Verstappen will be using the number #3 like he originally wanted. Isack Hadjar used #6, which was previously used by Nicholas Latifi and former World Champion Nico Rosberg.

Lastly, Williams drivers both use numbers that have never been used before. Alex Albon used #23, and Carlos Sainz uses #55.