Max Verstappen has expressed his wish to change his racing number to three for the 2026 season if he loses his F1 title and can no longer use number one on his Red Bull car. Initially, the 28-year-old driver used number 33 when he joined the sport, a number that became closely associated with him in racing circles. However, he selected this number because his future teammate Daniel Ricciardo had already claimed number three.
After winning his first world championship in 2021, Verstappen chose number one, exclusively reserved for defending champions, and has kept it since then. With the 2025 championship likely going to either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, the Red Bull driver needs to make a decision.
During the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen confirmed his plan to switch to number three starting in 2026 but requires approval from both the FIA and Ricciardo for the change. Ricciardo retired from motorsport earlier in the year after leaving Racing Bulls in the 2024 season.
Verstappen humorously commented on his preferred number, saying that he considered number 69 but his father advised against it. He also mentioned his interest in number 27, which is already taken by another driver. Verstappen emphasized that number three is his favorite, although he finds several numbers appealing.
Fortunately, Ricciardo is unlikely to oppose Verstappen’s decision, as they maintain a strong friendship despite Ricciardo’s shift to Renault and departure from open-wheel motorsport.
In other news, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and complete Sky coverage of Formula 1. Sky offers comprehensive coverage of every practice, qualifying session, and race throughout the season, as well as exclusive broadcasting of the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.
Ricciardo expressed his continued passion for motorsports and announced his partnership with Ford as a Global Ford Racing Ambassador in a heartfelt letter to fans, emphasizing the joy and lasting memories racing has brought him.