P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Could Lewis Hamilton ditch iconic 44?
A change has been made to the F1 rules during the final meeting of the Formula 1 Commission in 2025 at the FIA’s London offices.
Chaired by Nikolas Tombazis and Stefano Domenicali, the F1 Commission addressed various sport-related matters during its quarterly meetings, with a significant attendance in November.
This meeting reflected the growth of F1, with a fan base now at 827 million and an increase in younger fans engaging with the sport.
Beginning in the 2026 season, a modification to driver numbers will allow for changes, implying that Lewis Hamilton might depart from his iconic No 44 if he so decides.
Hamilton’s attachment to the number stems from his early karting days when his father used the number plate “F44” on their rebuilt kart, marking Hamilton’s racing journey.
Moreover, the FIA has approved adjustments to the regulation on permanent competition numbers, allowing drivers to alter their numbers during their F1 career, alongside discussions to limit the carbon fibre surfaces on F1 cars in 2026.
