Max Verstappen has expressed his interest in changing his race number to three for the 2026 season if he loses his F1 title and is no longer entitled to use number one on his Red Bull car. When he first joined the sport, the 28-year-old used number 33, a number closely associated with him in racing circles. However, he picked 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, reserved for defending champions, and has kept it ever since. With the 2025 title likely going to either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, Verstappen faces a decision.
During the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen announced his intention to switch to number three starting in 2026, pending approval from the FIA and Ricciardo. Ricciardo retired from motorsport earlier in the year after leaving Racing Bulls in 2024.
When asked about the potential number change, Verstappen responded that he would consider it during the winter, expressing his preference for number three. He humorously mentioned wanting number 69 but his father advised against it. Verstappen also found number 27 attractive, but it was already taken. He noted that numbers 2 and 7 visually complement each other well. Ultimately, number three is his favorite, although he finds several numbers cool.
Fortunately, Ricciardo is unlikely to oppose Verstappen’s decision, as the two maintain a strong friendship despite Ricciardo’s career move to Renault and his exit 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 comprehensive coverage of Formula 1. Sky offers live coverage of practice sessions, qualifiers, and races throughout the season, as well as exclusive content on the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.
Ricciardo, in a letter to fans, announced his partnership with Ford as a Global Ford Racing Ambassador following his retirement. He emphasized his love for motorsports and the joy racing has brought him, leading him to this new role.