All the 2025 Formula One driver numbers confirmed in full
With the 2025 season just weeks away, the driver numbers have been confirmed for what is sure to be a thrilling year of Formula One action.
With the 2025 season now just weeks away, the driver numbers have been confirmed for what is sure to be another exhilarating year of Formula One action.
For the latest Formula One news, bookmark The South African website’s dedicated section for free-to-read content
With a quarter of the 2025 grid to be made up of rookies, there are several new numbers to look out for on-track.
These include some that have been held before by some very successful predecessors.
The 2025 Formula One season will consist of 24 races, the first of which will be held in Melbourne in Australia on 16 March, while the last race will be contested at the Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi on 7 December.
Why do F1 drivers have numbers?
According to the F1.com website, previously the drivers’ race numbers in Formula One were assigned based on each team’s ranking in the previous year’s championship.
However, in 2014 that system was changed, with the drivers then allowed to pick a number that would stick with them throughout their F1 career.
That rule was brought in to help increase the personal branding of the drivers, as well as allowing fans to identify their favourite drivers across multiple seasons regardless of which team they would be racing for.
That has proven to be the case.
For example, Lewis Hamilton has become synonymous with his number 44 – the number he also used in karting – while, in 2021, the seven-time world champion founded Mission 44, a charity advocating for greater representation, diversity and inclusion in motorsport.
How do drivers choose their numbers?
F1 drivers are allowed to choose a number between 2 and 99, which remains theirs for the duration of their career in the sport.
If they depart the sport for any reason – be it a retirement or anything else – then their numbers would be reserved for two seasons, preventing any newcomers in that period from selecting it.
The number 1 is still reserved for the reigning world champion, though drivers are not obliged to use it.
As a result, current four-time champion Max Verstappen races with the number 1, but the Dutchman ran with the number 33 prior to becoming champion for the first time in 2021.
Full list of driver numbers for the 2025 F1 grid
Alpine
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Doohan | #7 | Kimi Raikkonen |
| Pierre Gasly | #10 | Kamui Kobayashi |
Aston Martin
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Fernando Alonso | #14 | No previous owner |
| Lance Stroll | #18 | No previous owner |
Ferrari
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Leclerc | #16 | No previous owner |
| Lewis Hamilton | #44 | No previous owner |
Haas
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Esteban Ocon | #31 | No previous owner |
| Oliver Bearman | #87 | No previous owner |
Kick Sauber
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Bortoleto | #5 | Sebastian Vettel |
| Nico Hulkenberg | #27 | No previous owner |
McLaren
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Lando Norris | #4 | Max Chilton |
| Oscar Piastri | #81 | No previous owner |
Mercedes
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Andrea Kimi Antonelli | #12 | Felipe Nasr |
| George Russell | #63 | No previous owner |
Racing Bulls
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Isack Hadjar | #6 | Nico Rosberg/ Nicholas Latifi |
| Yuki Tsunoda | #22 | Jenson Button |
Red Bull
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | #1 | *Number is reserved for the champion |
| Liam Lawson | #30 | Jolyon Palmer |
Williams
| Driver | Number | Previous owner of number |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Albon | #23 | No previous owner |
| Carlos Sainz | #55 | No previous owner |
Who will you be supporting – driver and team – in the 2025 Formula One season?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp for the latest news.