Max Verstappen is desperate to win his 45th race as he finds it ‘TERRIBLE’ to be stuck at Lewis Hamilton’s racing number

Lewis Hamilton's racing number is 44 and never opted to switch to '1' as it holds a sentimental value to him.

Max Verstappen is desperate to win his 45th race as he finds it ‘TERRIBLE’ to be stuck at Lewis Hamilton’s racing number

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (Credits: formula1news.co.uk)

Max Verstappen‘s scintillating performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix sent ripples through the F1 world as he secured his 44th career victory. But it wasn’t just the win that grabbed attention; it was his cheeky remark after the race that added a dash of spice to his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton.

Hungary witnessed a phenomenal display by Max Verstappen, nearly missing pole position to Lewis Hamilton but showcasing a remarkable pace during the race. Leaving Hamilton behind at the start, he swiftly reclaimed the lead and stormed to victory, finishing 33 seconds ahead of Sergio Perez. 

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After crossing the checkered flag, Verstappen couldn’t resist poking fun at the coincidence of winning his 44th race, the same number as Hamilton’s racing number. He remarked after the race, with a grin, “Hopefully I don’t stay on 44, that would be terrible.” The two-time champion added, “Yeah, I need to get 45 quickly.”

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The Hamilton-Verstappen rivalry has been a captivating aspect of F1. Their intense on-track confrontations and occasional incidents have kept fans on the edge. In 2021, they fiercely contested the driver’s title, with Hamilton narrowly missing out on his eighth championship at the controversial Abu Dhabi finale. 

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Max Verstappen with Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen with Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton (Credits: FIA)

To Hamilton, the number 44 holds immense sentimental value. It symbolizes his family and the number he had when he started racing, winning his first karting championship with it. While other champions have used the number one, Hamilton cherishes 44 as his own. Hamilton once said, “The 44 is my family number. It’s the number I had when I first started racing.” 

Verstappen’s 44th win at the Hungaroring places him as the fifth most successful driver. With his title hopes looking strong, he could clinch the championship at the Japanese GP, sitting comfortably 110 points ahead of Sergio Perez. The Dutchman’s momentum hints at possibly breaking Sebastian Vettel‘s and Alain Prost’s records.

While Verstappen soars high, Hamilton’s struggles with his W14 car have been evident this season. The British driver has faced a winless streak for over 18 months. In conclusion, Max Verstappen’s victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix brought humor to his fierce rivalry with Lewis Hamilton. His witty remark about the number 44 added humor to his rivalry with the seven-time champion. 

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