(Motorsport-Total.com) – Every Formula 1 driver has a starting number and a singular number: it stays with him all through his Grand Prix profession. Only the world champion has a selection: in the 12 months after profitable the title, he can use his typical starting number or the number 1.
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Max Verstappen Red Bull RB18: He will begin once more in 2023 with the number 1
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All different drivers should maintain the starting number of their selection. This system has been used in Formula 1 because the 2014 season. Before that, the numbers had been based mostly on the earlier 12 months’s outcomes in the general standings of the World Championship.
Under the brand new rule, starting numbers are based mostly on private preferences. In this text, we clarify what the 2023 season holds for Formula 1 drivers. We additionally describe all of the necessary traits concerning the number of starting numbers in Formula 1.
Will Max Verstappen rule number one in 2023?
Yes. As the reigning champion, Max Verstappen is exercising his proper to restart with the number 1 in the 2023 season. This is what he did after his first victory in the 2021 world championship: Verstappen swapped his everlasting number 33 for the world champion 1.
At the time, Verstappen justified his transfer by saying: “How typically in your Formula 1 profession do you get the prospect to drive No. 1? You by no means know.” And: “If I’m not world champion, I can at all times swap to 33. But if I’m world champion, I’ll use number 1 yearly.”
Prior to Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel final used the No. 1 starting number in the 2014 season. Lewis Hamilton then secured a number of titles however stayed along with his number 44. On the opposite hand, Nico Rosberg didn’t take part in Formula 1 after his success in the 2016 World Championship and due to this fact didn’t use the number one automobile.
Why did Max Verstappen get the number 33?
Max Verstappen competed in 33 begins in Formula 1 earlier than the world championship titles. The motive behind that is shortly defined: When he was younger, 3 was his fortunate number. Therefore, Verstappen additionally wished to have the number 3 in Formula 1, however this unique number was given to Daniel Ricciardo. So Verstappen “doubled” his number.
“But I went with the 33 after I was a child,” explains Verstappen. “I assumed it might be enjoyable to race him in Formula 1.”
So far in his motorsport profession, he has had 3 for probably the most half: in the Formula 3 European Championship, for instance, Verstappen drove with the number 30, and in his first Formula 1 outing for Toro Rosso, the number 38 was emblazoned on his automobile. .
Why drivers selected their numbers
Why does Lewis Hamilton drive the number 44? What is the background to Charles Leclerc’s number 16? Why did Fernando Alonso select the number 14 automobile? We will reply these questions in our photograph assortment.
Photo gallery: Numbers recreation: Formula 1 drivers starting numbers for 2023
One thing more: Our photograph assortment has details about what license plates some drivers actually wished, however why they did not get them.
What prime numbers shouldn’t be used in Formula 1?
In Formula 1, drivers can select numbers from 2 to 99. 1 is reserved for the present world champion. And 17 is a taboo: it was the unique number of Jules Bianchi, who died in a critical accident on the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. For this motive, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) withdrew its number 17. He is now not forgiven.
How lengthy can a driver maintain his private number?
If a driver leaves Formula 1, he’s entitled to his personal starting number for 2 years. During this time, the license plate can’t be utilized by one other driver. Example: Fernando Alonso was capable of compete once more on the age of 14 after a two-season break. Alexander Albon (23) and Nico Hulkenberg (27) additionally acquired particular person numbers for his or her comebacks.
However, if a driver returns to Formula 1 after an extended break, he should select a brand new everlasting starting number.
Which prime numbers could be reassigned and when
From 2024:
7 (now: Kimi Raikkonen)
9 (now: Nikita Masepin)
99 (at the moment: Antonio Giovinazzi)
From 2025
3 (at the moment: Daniel Ricciardo)
5 (now: Sebastian Vettel)
6 (at the moment: Nicholas Latifi)
47 (at the moment: Mick Schumacher)