Max Verstappen has expressed his wish to change his racing number to three for the 2026 season if he loses his F1 title, which would mean giving up his right to use number one on his Red Bull car.
Initially, the 28-year-old driver used number 33 when he first joined the sport, a number that became closely associated with him in racing circles. However, he only settled for that number because his future teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, had already claimed number three for himself.
After winning his first world championship in 2021, Verstappen opted for number one, a number reserved for defending champions, and has kept it ever since. But with the 2025 title likely going to either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, Verstappen needs to make a decision.
During the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen stated his intention to switch to number three starting in 2026, pending approval from both the FIA and Ricciardo. Ricciardo retired from motorsport earlier this year after leaving Racing Bulls in the 2024 season.
When asked about the potential number change, Verstappen responded, “That’s a good question. You have to get approval for it because, at the end of the day, the number is not free yet because of Daniel Ricciardo. He has not been out of Formula One for two years yet.”
He added humorously, “I actually wanted number 69, but my dad said ‘that’s not a good idea’. But that number always looks the same, no matter how you look at the car! 69 would be very good for the photos and marketing, and for the caps as well. It doesn’t matter how you wear them, it always stays 69. In that respect, it would be a good marketing tool. I also like 27, but Nico already has that. I think 2 and 7 look really nice together in terms of shape. So 3 is my favorite number, but there are several numbers I find cool.”
Fortunately, Ricciardo is unlikely to oppose the change. Despite stepping away from open-wheel motorsport, he maintains a strong friendship with his former Red Bull teammate.
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Ricciardo shared in an open letter his excitement about becoming a Global Ford Racing Ambassador, expressing his enduring passion for all things related to wheels and motorsports. He emphasized that racing has always been about enjoyment and creating lasting memories.