The number 1 has always been synonymous with the world champion in Formula 1. However, there have been exceptions: some drivers have raced with this number without winning the championship, while others chose to stick with their personal number. Let’s explore the history and curiosities behind this iconic number.
From the early days of Formula 1, car numbering was governed by strict rules. It wasn’t until 2014 that drivers were allowed to choose their racing number, provided they kept it for the rest of their career.
One thing, however, has remained unchanged: the number 1 is reserved exclusively for the reigning world champion. Up until 2013, it was mandatory for the world champion to race with the number 1. With the introduction of personalized numbers, the champion gained the option to swap their regular number for 1 in the following season.
Max Verstappen exercised this right in early 2022, switching from his signature 33 to 1 after winning his first title. The other two world champions of the hybrid era did not race with the number 1. Nico Rosberg retired immediately after winning the championship in 2016, never racing as the defending champion.
Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, has consistently chosen to keep his iconic number 44 since 2014. However, in 2009, after winning the 2008 championship, Hamilton did race with the number 1. Hamilton made rare exceptions during FP1 sessions in Abu Dhabi in 2018 and 2019, where he used the number 1 as a tribute to his team. “I don’t like it at all, but I remember that the mechanics and engineers often ask me to use it just once. I thought it was cool, so they could have a photo and feel proud to see the number 1,” Hamilton explained in 2018.
There were also two instances where the number 1 was used by drivers who were not the reigning world champions. The first occurred in 1974, when Ronnie Peterson drove with the number 1 for Lotus, the 1973 Constructors’ Champions, despite finishing third in the drivers’ standings the previous year. Why? The reigning champion, Jackie Stewart, had retired immediately after securing the title, much like Rosberg did in 2016.
The second case was in 1985, when John Watson raced with the number 1 at the European Grand Prix. He replaced the reigning champion, Niki Lauda, who had injured his wrist in the previous round at Spa. Such a scenario would not be possible today: since 2014, even reserve drivers have their own permanent numbers.
Photo: Formula 1.com
