Max Verstappen will also use start number 1 in the 2023 Formula 1 season. As world champion, the Dutchman can choose between the number 1 and his personal starting number 33, just like last year.
His choice for next season has already been decided. “For me, starting number 1 is the nicest number there is for a racing driver,” emphasizes the two-time champion.
After the controversial finale in Abu Dhabi last year, the Red Bull driver had his first chance to claim number 1 for himself. Starting numbers in Formula 1 have been personalized since 2014. Each driver gets to choose a number before their debut and keeps it for the rest of their career.
This also applies to Nyck de Vries, who will make his Formula 1 debut as a full-time driver at AlphaTauri in 2023. He says he has already made his choice but cannot reveal anything about it as the formal process is not yet complete.
Verstappen: “How often do you get this chance?”
The only exception to the rules for personal start numbers concerns the World Champion. The champion has the option to swap their own number for the number 1 after winning the title. Verstappen did so last year after winning his first Formula 1 title.
“Exchanging my race number is also good for merchandising sales,” he explained at the time. He will stick to it for 2023. Verstappen confirmed this in an interview with the Dutch edition of “Motorsport.com” in Abu Dhabi.
“Yes, I will use number 1 again next season. I think it’s the best number there is for a racing driver. How often in your Formula 1 career do you get the chance to wear number 1 drive? You never know.”
“I can always go back to number 33 when I’m no longer world champion. But as long as I’m world champion, I’ll race with number 1 every single year.”
In 2022, Verstappen became the first driver since Sebastian Vettel in 2014 to drive with the number 1 on his car. Lewis Hamilton traditionally kept the 44 on the car, while Nico Rosberg retired after his 2016 world championship title.
Second title season will be hard to top
Verstappen sees the number 1 as a reward for another memorable Formula 1 season in which he set a new record with 15 race wins. The 25-year-old hopes to keep the champion’s number for as long as possible – like Michael Schumacher at his best.
However, Verstappen is aware that a repeat of 2022 will not be an easy task: “This was a very special season, not only for me but also for the team. We are the constructors’ world champions for the first time since 2013.”
“I think that in the future it will be very difficult to build on this year, let alone surpass it. The attitude should obviously be to get better every season, but that won’t be easy after the year. That’s why we should especially cherish and enjoy these moments.”