Since 2014, Formula 1 drivers have used fixed race numbers, a change introduced to help fans easily recognize drivers on the track. Prior to this, starting numbers were assigned based on the final standings of the Constructors' Championship from the previous season.
The only exception to this fixed number rule is the reigning World Champion, who has the privilege of swapping their race number for 1. All other drivers, however, must keep their chosen number for the duration of the season. Each driver's choice is often tied to personal significance, such as a lucky number or a number with emotional value, adding a unique layer to their identity on the track.
Below are the race numbers for the 2025 Formula 1 season-
2025 F1 Race Numbers and Drivers
- 1: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 4: Lando Norris (McLaren)
- 5: Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
- 6: Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- 7: Jack Doohan (Alpine)
- 10: Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- 12: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 14: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- 16: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 18: Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- 22: Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
- 23: Alex Albon (Williams)
- 27: Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
- 30: Liam Lawson (Red Bull)
- 31: Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- 44: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- 55: Carlos Sainz Jr. (Williams)
- 63: George Russell (Mercedes)
- 81: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 87: Oliver Bearman (Haas)
Max Verstappen and the 1
Max Verstappen, the current four-time World Champion, will continue to use 1 for the 2025 F1 season. After winning his first title in 2021, Verstappen switched from his customary 33 to 1, a number reserved exclusively for the reigning champion. Verstappen’s decision to retain 1 is a reflection of his ongoing dominance in the sport.
He shared his thoughts on the matter, saying, "How often do you get the chance to drive with starting number 1 in your Formula 1 career? You never know." Verstappen has made it clear that as long as he remains the World Champion, he will use 1 every year. "I can always go back to number 33 if I am no longer world champion. But as long as I am world champion, I will use number 1 every single year," he added.
Why Did Verstappen Choose 33?
Before becoming the World Champion, Verstappen raced with 33, a number with personal significance. As a child, he considered 3 to be his lucky number, but when he joined Formula 1, 3 was already taken by Daniel Ricciardo. Instead of abandoning the number altogether, Verstappen opted for 33, feeling that it would bring him "double happiness." He explained on social media, “As a kid I raced around with this number, so I thought it would be fun to use 33 in Formula 1 as well."
At times during his career, Verstappen has also driven with the number 3, and in the European Formula 3 Championship, he raced under 30. During his Toro Rosso debut, he used 38, but 33 remains the number most closely associated with his early career.
The fixed race numbers in Formula 1 not only serve to enhance fan recognition but also carry personal stories for each driver. Whether it's a childhood lucky number or a symbol of their success, each race number reflects the unique journey of the driver. Max Verstappen’s continued use of 1 represents his ongoing reign as World Champion, while his earlier choice of 33 adds a nostalgic element to his career. As the 2025 season unfolds, fans will continue to see these numbers—each one telling a story of ambition, luck, and legacy.