Max Verstappen switches to number three as Lando Norris takes number one
Max Verstappen has received FIA permission to race with the number three this season after reigning world champion Lando Norris elected to use the number one on his McLaren.
The Red Bull driver has been forced to relinquish the number one plate he carried for the previous four years following his championship defeat to Norris.
McLaren’s Norris, who secured his maiden Formula 1 title last year, confirmed in December he would exercise his right to swap his customary number four for the champion’s number one.
While drivers are not obliged to carry the number one, the regulations allow the reigning champion exclusive rights to the digit for the duration of their title defence.
Returning to a favourite
Consequently, the Dutchman has opted to revert to his favourite number, three, rather than the number 33 he used prior to his first title triumph in 2021.
However, this required special dispensation from the FIA as the number was previously utilized by Daniel Ricciardo.
Formula 1 sporting regulations stipulate a racing number must remain dormant for two consecutive seasons before it can be reallocated to another competitor.
Since it has been fewer than two years since the Australian’s final race, Verstappen had to seek approval from both the governing body and his former team-mate.
“It won’t be number 33. My favourite number has always been three, apart from number one,” Verstappen told Viaplay.
“We can now swap, so it’ll be number three. The rules state that a number isn’t available until it hasn’t been used for two consecutive seasons.”
“Number 33 was always fine, but I just like one three better than two. I always said it represented double luck, but I’ve already had my luck in Formula One.”
New numbers for the new season
Verstappen becomes only the second driver to race under the number three since the personalised numbering system was introduced in 2014.
Aside from the reshuffle at the front of the grid, the majority of returning drivers have retained their existing identities for the new campaign.
Valtteri Bottas will continue his long association with number 77, while Sergio Perez remains faithful to number 11, a tribute to former footballer Ivan Zamorano.
The grid’s sole rookie, British teenager Arvid Lindblad, has selected number 41 for his debut season.
The newcomer explained that the digits were chosen as they visually resemble his initials, ‘AL’, making him the first driver to race with the number in the modern era.
