Driver Number

A Driver Number is a unique number assigned to each racing driver that appears on their car and helmet to help identify them during races and throughout the motorsport season.

Think of driver numbers like jersey numbers in sports - they make it easy for fans, officials, and commentators to quickly identify which driver is which when cars are speeding around the track at high speeds. Without these numbers, it would be nearly impossible to tell drivers apart during a race.

In the early days of motorsport, race organizers would assign different numbers to drivers for each individual race. This changed over time, and numbers began to be assigned for entire seasons. The system became more organized, with the previous year's championship-winning team typically receiving numbers 1 and 2.

Modern Formula 1 introduced a major change in 2014 by allowing drivers to choose their own permanent racing number between 2 and 99. Once a driver picks their number, it stays with them throughout their entire career in the sport. This has helped drivers build their personal brand and connect with fans.

The number 1 is special - it's reserved exclusively for the current World Champion, though they can choose to keep their original number instead. For example, Max Verstappen can use number 1 as the reigning champion, but his permanent driver number is 33.

Many drivers choose numbers that have personal meaning. Lewis Hamilton uses 44 because he raced with it in karting as a child. Fernando Alonso picked 14 because he won a championship at age 14 on July 14th while driving kart number 14.

When a driver retires from the sport, their number is held for two years before another driver can claim it. This prevents confusion and respects the driver's legacy. The number 17 remains unofficially retired in Formula 1 to honor Jules Bianchi, who died from injuries sustained in a 2014 crash.