But for that he must first become world champion
F1 drivers are even allowed to choose their starting number, but the number must meet two criteria. Firstly, the number must not be occupied by another driver and secondly, it must not be number 1. There is one exception to that last rule since 2014: only if you are world champion, you can drive with start number 1. Lewis Hamilton was allowed to drive with one this year (not to be confused with a Duckling, which has no chance against an F1 car), but chose to keep his current number 44. Max Verstappen says that he will change his starting number to 1 if he becomes world champion.
Why is Max Verstappen driving number 33?
Max Verstappen has sometimes indicated in interviews that he would prefer to drive with number three. This is his favorite number and he thinks the number looks nice. When Verstappen started at Toro Rosso, Daniel Ricciardo was already driving number 3. That is why Verstappen stuck an extra three behind his starting number and since then 33 has been synonymous with the driver, at least in the Netherlands. Numerous shirts and caps have been sold with the number.
For Verstappen it is a logical choice to change the start number for a year. Against the NOS he says, “Of course. You don’t get that many opportunities in your life to drive your F1 car with that number. It is also good for merchandising. Very smart.’ True Verstappen and F1 fans obviously want new stuff with a number 1 on it. Lewis Hamilton did drive briefly with number 1 on his car in 2018 during a test to celebrate his world championship.
