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Wolff op de Red Bull Ring

Mercedes star reveals family ties led him to MAJOR F1 decision

Wolff op de Red Bull Ring — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes star reveals family ties led him to MAJOR F1 decision

George Russell has his family to thank for one major aspect of his F1 career

Matthew Hobkinson
Lead Editor
F1 Editor & Journalist

George Russell has revealed that he chose the number 63 for his Formula 1 car, due to his brother opting for the same digits back when he was go-karting as a kid.

F1 drivers make a career-long commitment to their car number, so a lot of thought rightly goes into the decision as to what exactly that should be.

There is only one way that a driver can change their number, but that involves the small task of winning a world title.

READ MORE: Horner shares emotional farewell including Vettel tribute amid tragic news

F1 rules state that a reigning champion can swap to No. 1 should they wish, something that Max Verstappen has now carried for two seasons as he goes in pursuit of his third world championship – temporarily ditching his usual No. 33.

Russell's family ties

George Russell has the No 63 on display when driving for Mercedes
George Russell has the No 63 on display when driving for Mercedes

And Russell, who has the No. 63 adorned on his car, has revealed that it was a family link that saw him opt for it in the first place.

“Well I am number 63 because that was the number my brother used to race with when he was in go karting,” he told Mercedes’ official YouTube channel.

“When he started, that was the number that was assigned to him and has been a family number ever since. So, [it’s] in the family!”

F1 drivers by number

1 Max Verstappen (Also 33)

2 Logan Sargeant

3 Daniel Ricciardo

4 Lando Norris

10 Pierre Gasly

11 Sergio Perez

14 Fernando Alonso

16 Charles Leclerc

18 Lance Stroll

20 Kevin Magnussen

21 Nyck de Vries

22 Yuki Tsunoda

23 Alex Albon

24 Zhou Guanyu

27 Nico Hulkenberg

31 Esteban Ocon

44 Lewis Hamilton

55 Carlos Sainz

63 George Russell

77 Valtteri Bottas

81 Oscar Piastri

READ MORE: Mercedes chief backs Russell to join Verstappen in HUGE F1 prediction

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