Hamilton won't slap a '1' on his car for anything in the world

Shark fin and sponsorship - bodywork detail on Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton is under pressure for 2018 to use the n°1 race number traditionally associated with reigning world champions, but the Briton will have none of it.

For the past few years, drivers have allowed to choose a personal and permanent race number, leaving the world champion with the option of not using number '1'.

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Hamilton has been associated with number '44', and indeed the four-time world champion has built his brand partly around that double digit, and he wants to keep it forever although a bit of creative work could perhaps accommodate the demand for change.

"My engineers want me to and some other people want me to," he admitted to Brazil's Globo.

"They're trying to get me to put the number 1 on the car, but I don't plan to change. The 44 is personal. Everyone has a lucky number.

"Maybe I'll put the 1 in the 44 or something -- maybe we can play around and do something like that.

"But I really don't like this number 1 thing. Other drivers have had it in the past but 44, that's mine," Hamilton smiled.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.