Hamilton “doesn’t like at all” riding with Number 1

For 90 minutes at Yas Marina, he was back in Formula 1. The last time he was seen, it was also on the United Arab Emirates side one evening in 2014 on the Red Bull de Sebastian Vettel. He is Number 1 who usually hit the muzzle of the car of the world champion. 

Since the entry into force of permanent numbers in 2014, drivers retain the choice of riding with “1” if they win the title. Crowned four times in the era of hybrid engines (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018) Hamilton had always refused to wear this figure, while his teammate Nico Rosberg did not have the opportunity after retiring in the wake of his victory in 2016. 

Mercedes, who bought Brawn for the 2010 season, could have had the pleasure of displaying this distinctive sign from his first season but Jenson Button took it with him in his suitcases when he went to McLaren. 

After requesting authorization for the last round of 2018, Mercedes and Hamilton offered this little pleasure to the German manufacturer's team during FP1 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

« Personally, I don't like having Number 1, I don't like it at all even, told the five-time world champion to Yas Marina. It was just for one session, that doesn't mean much. 

I did it because I have been with the team for six years and we have never had Number 1 in one of our cars despite our titles. I thought it would be cool. I remember McLaren had it when Jenson won the title and came in from Brawn. I find it weird that you can take Number 1 to your next team. 

I remember the engineers and mechanics asking me if I was ever going to ride the “1”. I thought it would be good to have it on the car for a session so we have a photo to mark the occasion and everyone can be proud of our success ».

Hamilton also explained why he was going to keep his '44' in the future. 

« It's my favorite number, he added. In fact, everyone in the team, especially those who work on my car, tell me that the “44” is part of their life, which is great. When they travel, they tell me if they see a 44 bus or a 44 flight, and it has the same effect on me ».

F1 had introduced permanent race numbers for the sake of clarity but also to facilitate identification for drivers with the resulting marketing and merchandising benefits.