An unsaid rule that is there in all sports is that a number will become an athlete’s second identity. A simple number sometimes becomes unanimous with an athlete for their entire career. That wasn’t the case in Formula 1 until 2014. In 2014, F1 drivers were allowed to choose their own numbers, and the number chosen by Lewis Hamilton has a wholesome story.
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Every driver has a story, or reason, behind choosing their number, and Hamilton is no exception. The Briton went with the number ’44’ as his number of choice. Perhaps an odd choice for many, but Hamilton had 44 on his race suits long before it became mandatory.
The Briton chose this number even for his first karting race. Why? Because when a young Hamilton was asked to choose a number, he couldn’t think of anything. However, the young boy went with his father’s number plate, which was F44. So when the same situation arose in 2014, Hamilton was ready with his number.
With the number 44, Hamilton has laid the foundation for his incredible success. The number has become unanimous with Hamilton and everything he does as well. The Mercedes man even has his charity featuring the number, Mission44.
Every reigning world champion gets the opportunity to drive with number 1 in the following season. However, Hamilton has forgone that opportunity every single time to stick with his favorite number.
The story behind number 44 is sending Lewis Hamilton fans into a meltdown
Hamilton’s choice to stick with the number from his father’s car is as good a reason. The man who dedicated his life to making his son an F1 driver sees a small memento of it every time he races.
Now, Hamilton even has a clothing brand featuring the number called plus44world. Safe to say, a simple choice made by a young Hamilton has become his second identity.
Did you know Lewis races with number 44 because it was on his father's number plate when he was younger ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sHBAa7EKue
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) October 15, 2022
24 races w14 BOTH HAVE A 4 IN THEM which means Sir Lewis Hamilton (44) domination again ‼️💯
— t (@brojaAL) September 20, 2022
Hamilton’s fans will find any reason to associate the man with the number.
When Lewis Hamilton retires from F1 they should retire his number 44 as well.
— The Best Pinned tweet! (@MrHemJ) August 31, 2022
Fun fact: 🇬🇧 dialling code for phone numbers is +44. Did you know it was chosen because of Sir Lewis Hamilton? His impact!
— b 🔍💜⁷🔎 (@purplegalaxiia) August 19, 2022
Some fans might be more invested in 44 than Hamilton himself with suggestions of retiring the number from the sport. However, nothing can top the suggestion of +44 being England’s dialing code because of Hamilton.
I'm an Eagles fan but I wouldn't mind buying a Lewis Hamilton 44 Denver Broncos jersey just to wear once in a while lol https://t.co/uf6cgf3kyo
— Utena120 (@Utena120) August 2, 2022
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WATCH THIS STORY: Lewis Hamilton Takes The Spotlight With Avid F1 Fan
I’ve been seeing number 44 everywhere recently. It’s an angel number and means abundance is coming and your angels recognise how hard you have worked. I think this is especially true for you.
— Changing Opinions TEAMLH 💜LH44💜 (@tribeleader28) October 14, 2022
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Safe to say, Hamilton has made the number 44 his own, especially among his fans, and the tweets prove exactly that.