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Verstappen first claimed #1 after winning last year’s world title in Abu Dhabi and used it for the 2022 world championship.
Taking back-to-back world titles, the Dutchman again gets to choose between #1 and his personal race number 33, which he has used since his karting days, but has decided to honour the custom of carrying the world champion’s number.
“Yes, I will use number 1 again next season. For me, starting number 1 is the most beautiful number there is for any racing driver,” Verstappen said in Abu Dhabi.
“How often do you get the chance to drive with starting number 1 in your Formula 1 career? You never know.
“I can always go back to number 33 if I am no longer world champion. But as long as I am world champion, I will use number 1 every single year.”
Verstappen: “As long as I am world champion, I will use number 1 eve …