Green Light for Schumacher's Superstitious Number Swop
Nico Rosberg can't be too happy a man right now - the FIA has granted Michael Schumacher's request for a number swop ahead of the start of the 2010 Formula 1 season.
The 7-time world champion had submitted a request to change his car number from 4 to 3. This has been approved by both the team Mercedes GP and the FIA. Nico Rosberg had been the rightful owner of car number 3 as he was in the F1 season last year, compared to Schumacher's return only in 2010.
Schumacher had indicated that he 'preferred odd-numbered cars' and it turns out there are statistical proofs to the reason behind his preference. The number 4 car has NEVER won any F1 Drivers' Championship title before in the entire history of Formula 1, and in the last decade there had only been 7 race victories for the number 4 drivers.
Schumacher's only time with an even-numbered car suffered a premature end when his debut at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix with the Number 32 Jordan experienced clutch failure barely into the race.
Even if Nico Rosberg is too young for this superstitious nonsense, I'd say, he can't be too happy about the 7-time world champion's first claim over what is supposed to be his. Nico had already explicitly stated that in no way he would play second fiddle to Schumacher.
It would be extremely interesting if Rosberg beats Schumacher in a number 4 car.
