P1racenews AI automatic summary:
2023 F1 driver race numbers: Who uses what number and why?
In Formula 1, drivers are assigned fixed race numbers starting from the 2014 season. Previously, the numbers were determined based on the previous year’s championship standings. However, now only the reigning world champion has the option to switch to the #1 number. The remaining drivers must stick to their chosen numbers, which often have a personal meaning or hold significance to them. Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, chose to keep the #1 for the 2023 season, and it is likely he will continue to use it in 2024. In 2014, Sebastian Vettel was the last driver to use the #1, and Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have also held the title since. Verstappen initially used #33, a number he associated with his lucky number three from his youth. However, due to it being taken by another driver, he switched to #33 for “double happiness.” Other drivers, such as Logan Sargeant (#2), Daniel Ricciardo (#3), and Lando Norris (#4), also have their own reasons behind their chosen race numbers.
