Lewis Hamilton says he ran with the number 1 during the opening practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as a thank you to his Mercedes team. Mercedes has won the last five Drivers’ title but its cars have never sported the number 1. Hamilton, as defending champion in 2015, 2016 and 2018, opted to retain the use of number 44, under the system introduced in 2014, while Nico Rosberg exited the sport as champion. Previously the reigning champion was mandated to use number 1 – but Mercedes was denied this accolade in 2010 as Jenson Button, having won the crown with Brawn, switched across to McLaren. Hamilton sported the number 1 on the nosecone of his W09 during the opening...
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