Formula 1 introduced permanent driver numbers in 2014, giving drivers a unique number to use throughout their careers. These numbers range from 2 to 99, with the reigning world champion allowed to use the number 1.

One exception is the number 17, which has been removed in honor of Jules Bianchi after his tragic accident in 2014. When a driver leaves Formula 1, their number becomes available again after two seasons away from the sport.

The 2025 entry list, revealed by the FIA yesterday, confirms the numbers chosen by the four new full-time drivers on the grid. 

Gabriel Bortoleto, who will race for Sauber, picked the number 5. This number was last used by Sebastian Vettel in 2022, and Bortoleto also used it when he won the Formula 3 championship in 2023.

Jack Doohan, racing for Alpine, chose number 7, which was Kimi Raikkonen’s number until 2021. Doohan said he admired the Finnish driver, who is the last Ferrari world champion, and felt connected to this number, as he also used it in Euroformula Open in 2019.

Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, after a small controversy with Doohan, selected number 12, which Felipe Nasr last used in 2016.

Haas driver Oliver Bearman chose number 87, a unique pick since it hasn’t appeared in Formula 1 since the 1959 Indianapolis 500.

Additionally, the list also shows that former AlphaTauri, registered this year as Visa Cash App RB, often shortened as ‘RB’, has been newly renamed Racing Bulls, marking another chapter in the team’s history since starting as Minardi and being bought by Red Bull in 2005.

Racing Bulls is also the only team that hasn’t finalized its 2025 driver lineup, but the list isn’t a confirmation that Sergio Perez stays in Red Bull, with speculation that Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson might move up to the main team still going.