Lewis Hamilton explains why he doesn't use No1 on his F1 car

Lewis Hamilton has explained why he doesn’t use the No1 reserved for the reigning Formula 1 world champion on his car, instead opting for his own personal choice of number.

Formula 1 rules state that only the driver who has won the previous year’s title is permitted to use the no1 their car, but that they are not obliged to do so and can choose their own.

Hamilton, who is fighting to claim a record eighth title at Abu Dhabi this weekend, elaborated on how he views himself on the grid and the way in which he uses that as motivation to win.

“I don’t turn up with No1 one on my car,” he said in the pre-race press conference. “I turn up with the No44. I don’t consider myself the champion that year. I consider myself the one that’s fighting for a championship.

“At the moment it just feels like another championship for me. I don’t look at it as a multiple [championship achievement]. I always look at every season and every year as you start from ground zero and you’re fighting. You’re the hunter and you’re fighting from the moment you start training. The moment you get into the New Years, you’re training, focused on winning.”

Up until 2014, the reigning champion was required to use the no1, and the remaining drivers numbered in order of where their teams finished in the constructors’ championship.

Aside from the 2009 season following his first title year in 2008, and the Free Practice 1 sessions of 2018 and 2019, Hamilton has never used the no1, sticking with no 44.