Albon tributes Rossi with 2019 F1 number

Alexander Albon will pay tribute to MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi by racing with the number 23 on his Toro Rosso car in 2019. Albon's new number is half of the famous 46 that has been long associated with the Italian seven-time motorcycle world champion.

Albon raced with #46 in karting, as well as borrowing Rossi's 'The Doctor' insignia, but he has opted not to repeat this in F1.

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I’ve always been a Rossi fan but since I can’t replace the doctor himself, I thought I’d have half of it ???????? #quickmaths #AA23 pic.twitter.com/WaKGjYL5uE — Alex Albon (@alex_albon) December 18, 2018

McLaren rookie Lando Norris also claimed to have considered racing with the number 46 in tribute to Rossi, but he will debut in F1 with #4 on his McLaren.

Will Stevens is the only driver to have used #46 in F1 since individual driver numbers were introduced in 2014 – doing so on his debut appearance for Caterham at the 2014 Abu Dhabi GP.

Other newly assigned numbers for the 2019 season will see Robert Kubica race with 88, Antonio Giovinazzi use 99 and George Russell take 63.

Albon's Toro Rosso teammate Daniil Kvyat will once again race with 26 – as he did before departing F1 in 2017.

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