F1's 2014 Driver Numbers - Confirmed and explained

Formula One’s numbers system is changing for 2014, with drivers allowed to pick their own numbers for their own reasons – and Sebastian Vettel has unsurprisingly taken up the option to wear the #1 on his Red Bull for next season.

These numbers will serve as the drivers’ permanent number for the remainder of their F1 careers – and when Vettel does relinquish his World Championship, he will change to #5 – the number of his first triumph in 2010, as well as his karting number in 2001.

Vettel’s new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo has opted for #3, also going back to his karting days as well as a tribute to NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt.

Lewis Hamilton (#44), Fernando Alonso (#14) and Jean-Eric Vergne (#25) also hark back to their childhood racing days with their choice of numbers.

Other significant numbers include Nico Rosberg’s choice of #6, the number that his father Keke wore during his sole Drivers' title win in 1982, and Jenson Button’s choice of #22, the digits he donned in his title-winning season of 2009.

Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, team-mates at Lotus last year, will stick with numbers #7 and #8 respectively, despite driving for different teams this year. Pastor Maldonado, Raikkonen’s replacement at the Enstone squad, takes the number #13 – a number that has never finished an F1 race before.

At the top end of the numbers scale, Williams youngster Valtteri Bottas is looking to maximise marketing opportunities, with his choice of #77 fitting nicely with the double T in both of the Finn’s names. Adrian Sutil, Sauber’s newest recruit, takes #99, because in his words: “In my life, it’s only the maximum!”

Newly confirmed Marussia driver Max Chilton has yet to choose his number, while neither seat at Caterham has been filled yet.

Full list of confirmed driver numbers:

1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull

3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull

6 Nico Rosberg Mercedes

7 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari

8 Romain Grosjean Lotus

11 Sergio Perez Force India

13 Pastor Maldonado Lotus

14 Fernando Alonso Ferrari

17 Jules Bianchi Marussia

19 Felipe Massa Williams