2014 Formula One champion, Lewis Hamilton wants to keep the car no.44 next year instead of switching to the no.1, which is traditionally reserved for the reigning champion.
A change made earlier this year allowed drivers to pick their own car number between 2 and 99 to keep for the rest of their careers, similar to the system used in MotoGP.
Outgoing world champion Sebastian Vettel will now revert to his chosen no.5 to take to Ferrari in 2015, having run the no.1 throughout the 2014 season.
Mercedes’ Hamilton has run car no.44, and even has the number tattooed behind his right ear.
According to the British ace, 44 is his number, having won his first championship with 44 adorned on his kart, during his junior career.
Meanwhile, Ferrari star Fernando Alonso has requested no.14, which has been his lucky number since the age of 14, while his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen has chosen no.7.
In any case where one or more driver is interested in the same number, preference would be given to the person who finished higher in last year’s championship.
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