“I identical to it higher,” says Max Verstappen as Lando Norris now takes the coveted #1.
Previous to successful his first title the Dutchman raced with the quantity 33, with 3 utilized by his Purple Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
Although the Australian has successfully retired from F1 he was allowed to retain the rights to the quantity for 2 extra seasons, however the World Motor sport Council not too long ago waived that rule and Verstappen was eager to take benefit.
“It will not be quantity 33,” he advised Viaplay when requested what his race quantity can be in 2026. “My favorite quantity has at all times been 3, other than #1. We are able to now swap, so it will be quantity 3.
“Quantity 33 was at all times high-quality, however I identical to one 3 higher than two,” he admitted. “I at all times mentioned it represented double luck, however I’ve already had my luck in Components 1.”
The foundations regarding race numbers have been additional relaxed in that drivers now not have to make use of the identical quantity for his or her complete (F1) profession and should change.
Drivers sporting the quantity 3 have solely twice gone on to win the title, Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 and Michael Schumacher in 2000, the 12 months wherein the German received the primary of his 5 titles with Ferrari.
