Verstappen to retain number 1 in 2023

Max Verstappen became a double world champion at the end of the Japanese Grand Prix last October. As per the regulations, he had the choice between two numbers for the upcoming season: either he decided to race with the one he had been using until 2021 (number 33), or he chose to driver with the one awarded to the reigning world champion (number 1). The Dutchman decided to go with the latter option. “I will use the number 1 again in 2023,” declared the Red Bull driver.

Verstappen continues, justifying his choice. « It is the most beautiful number existing for any race driver. How often do you get the chance to wear the number 1 in a Formula 1 career? You never know, I could always go back to number 33 if I am no longer the world champion. But as long as that’s the case, I will use the number 1 every year. »

Since 2014, drivers have had to choose a permanent number for their entire Formula 1 career. Until 2022, Sebastian Vettel was the last driver to race with the number 1. This was in 2014, before Mercedes’ period of dominance began. Lewis Hamilton, who won the championship in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, has always wanted to keep his number 44 in the following seasons after his victories. However, he made an exception to his principle by driving with the number 1 during a test session in Abu Dhabi in 2018 to please his team. The 2016 champion, Nico Rosberg, did not have the opportunity to make his choice as he decided to retire from racing immediately after winning the championship.

For the first time since Sebastian Vettel’s successful period from 2010 to 2013, we will therefore see a driver racing for multiple seasons in a row with the number 1 emblazoned on the bodywork of his single-seater.