What’s in a number? The stories behind our driver numbers

In 2014, Formula 1 introduced permanent driver numbers and these digits have taken on a new significance, becoming part of a driver's identity and legacy.

For Williams Racing, one of the most storied teams on the grid, these numbers offer a glimpse into the personalities, histories, and motivations of its drivers.

We explore the stories behind the numbers chosen by Williams’ drivers since the sport refreshed its numbering system in 2014.

The Brazilian chose the number 19 as he raced it to the title in the 2001 Euro Formula 3000 season. This title earned him an F1 test with Sauber, and later a full-time seat on the grid.

The Finn wanted to choose number 7 but went for 77 instead. There was a smart reason behind the change of heart, as he revealed he wanted to incorporate the digits into his name for some designs, making it Val77eri Bo77as.

Like many drivers, Lance selected a number that brought him success in the junior categories. The Canadian driver had the number 18 on his car when he took the title in Italian F4 and Formula 3.

When Paul di Resta stepped in mid-weekend for the unwell Felipe Massa at the 2017 Hungarian GP, he was assigned pre-assigned number 40, our reserve driver number at the time.

Prior to making his 2018 debut, Sergey had to put a request in for his chosen number, 35. At the time, the number was allocated to Force India for their reserve cars, and George Russell carried it during FP1 sessions in Brazil and Abu Dhabi in 2017.

The number 63 was very much a family affair for George. It was his brother's number when he started karting at the local indoor kart centre, and it has remained the family race number ever since.

Ahead of his inspirational return to Formula 1, Robert explained that his favourite number is 8, but since that was already assigned to Romain Grosjean, he opted for 88. “In Italy, they say that two is better than one. That’s why I chose 88,” he shared on the Williams YouTube channel. He was the second driver to pick 88, after Rio Haryanto in 2016.

Nicky chose to race with the number 6 as a nod to the city he calls home, Toronto. The Canadian city is nicknamed “The Six” because of the six municipalities that formed modern-day Toronto. It was also the same number he ran when he finished P2 in the 2019 F2 Championship. The number had previously been used by Nico Rosberg.

Jack made his sole F1 outing after a dramatic grid reshuffle ahead of the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton was sidelined with COVID, so George Russell filled in at Mercedes and Jack stepped into the FW43. He selected 89 as it was the number he first used in karting.

“Last but not least, let’s talk about me. Alex Albon, number 23.” An iconic line from an iconic video, but why did he choose it? Well, there are a couple of reasons. The Thai competed with 46 on his kart, a tribute to childhood hero Valentino Rossi. But not wanting to claim such an iconic number, he halved it to make 23. Also, Alex’s birthday is the 23rd March 1996.

The number 23 has been attached to some big names in the wider world of sport in the past; Michael Jordan and LeBron James have both adorned it on the court, David Beckham graced it on the pitch and Shane Warne wore it on the wicket.

When Alex Albon was forced to pull out of the 2022 Italian Grand Prix midway through the weekend, Nyck de Vries jumped into our FW44 with No.45, our pre-assigned reserve number for the year. He also ran 45 when he drove with us in FP1 earlier that season in Barcelona. He opted for the number 21 when he became a full-time driver for the following season.

Like Nyck, Logan ran the number 45 on the front of his car during his four 2022 FP1 outings. However, he opted for the number 2 ahead of his 2023 debut, a nod to a strong season in Formula Renault. He wanted the number 3 as a nod to his NASCAR hero, Dale Earnhardt, however, that remained assigned to Daniel Riccardo, who chose 3 for a similar reason.

Ahead of his debut at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, Franco selected 43, a number that has brought him plenty of success in his junior career. In karting, he became the 2018 Argentine Senior Champion in 2018 whilst racing with it. He’d also claim the Spanish F4 title in 2019 with the #43, and a P3 finish in the 2020 Toyota Racing Series.