The FIA has revealed the official entry list for the 2025 Formula 1 season, bringing exciting updates on rookie driver numbers and team changes ahead of the new season. Among the key highlights, two new drivers have chosen iconic numbers once used by F1 World Champions, adding a historic touch to their debut campaigns.
Gabriel Bartoleto, who will be joining Sauber for the 2025 season, has selected the number 5, a number last used by Sebastian Vettel in 2022. Bartoleto, who won the 2023 Formula 3 title, raced with this number in the previous season, and now brings it with him to F1.
Meanwhile, Jack Doohan, who is set to race for Alpine, has chosen the number 7, famously worn by Kimi Raikkonen until his retirement in 2021.
Doohan, who used this number during his time in Euroformula Open with Raikkonen's Double R team in 2019, explained the emotional significance of the number: "I really wanted to go with a number that I raced with before, something that had meaning for me," Doohan shared in November. "Also, one of my idols, a super special person and driver, Kimi Raikkonen, also drove with that number. I'm really looking forward to continuing it on and making it my own."
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli Chooses Number 12
Mercedes' rookie driver, Kimi Antonelli, has opted for the number 12, a number last used in Formula 1 by Brazilian driver Felipe Nasr in 2016. This choice marks a fresh start for the promising talent as he prepares to join the F1 grid next season.
Ollie Bearman Chooses Number 87
Ollie Bearman, who has made his mark with Ferrari and Haas, will now take on the number 87 as his permanent race number in the upcoming 2025 season. Bearman previously raced with the temporary number 38 during his time with Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and later chose the number 50 for his Haas appearances in Azerbaijan and Brazil. His new number will be featured as his official race number as he embarks on his full-time F1 career starting at the Australian Grand Prix.
The F1 Number System
F1 driver numbers were introduced in 2014, allowing drivers to be permanently associated with a number throughout their careers. Under the current system, numbers between 2 and 99 are available, with the reigning World Champion being allowed to use the number 1. However, the number 17 has been retired following the tragic death of Jules Bianchi in 2015. Any number that has been unused for two consecutive seasons returns to the pool for new drivers to choose.
VCARB Team Rebrands as Racing Bulls for 2025
In addition to the exciting new driver choices, the official F1 entry list has also confirmed a rebrand for the VCARB team, which will now be known as Racing Bulls in the 2025 season. The team, previously operating as Visa Cash App RB in 2024, has opted for a clearer identity, reflecting their Italian company name, Racing Bulls S.p.A.
Team principal Laurent Mekies explained the change, saying, "We’ve been struggling, to a certain extent, with making it clear to people what the team name is. You’ve seen so many versions and it’s something that, as Laurent Mekies said, in January, it all happened within weeks and we’ve been probably rushing a couple of the things."
The rebranding decision comes after the team noticed confusion in the media, with some associating the RB abbreviation with Red Bull Racing. The team now intends to use "Visa Cash App Racing Bulls" as its official name in the future, and the abbreviation "VCARB" will remain in use as well.
As the winter break approaches, F1 fans can look forward to an exciting new season with fresh talent, historic driver numbers, and team changes. The 2025 season promises to be filled with anticipation as rookies and established stars alike prepare to make their mark on the grid.
