Max Verstappen has expressed his wish to change his race number to three for the 2026 season if he loses his F1 title and no longer holds the right to use number one on his Red Bull car.
Initially, the 28-year-old used number 33 when he joined the sport, a number closely associated with him in racing circles. However, he only picked that number because his future teammate Daniel Ricciardo had already chosen number three for himself.
Having secured his first world championship in 2021, Verstappen opted for number one, a privilege reserved for defending champions, and has stuck with it since. With the 2025 title likely going to either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, the Red Bull driver faces a decision.
During the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen confirmed his plan to switch to number three starting from 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 change, Verstappen responded, “That’s a good question.” He mentioned, “I will consider it over the winter, but my preferred number is #3. We need to see if it’s feasible.” He humorously added, “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 view the car! 69 would be great for photos, marketing, and caps.”
Verstappen also expressed his liking for number 27, but since it’s already taken, he finds numbers 2 and 7 visually appealing together. Despite his preferences, number three remains his favorite.
Fortunately for Verstappen, Ricciardo is unlikely to oppose his decision. The Australian has maintained a strong friendship with his former Red Bull teammate even after moving to Renault and stepping away from open-wheel motorsport.
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In a statement to fans last September, Ricciardo announced his partnership with Ford as a Global Ford Racing Ambassador, expressing his ongoing passion for motorsports and his desire to stay connected to the racing world even after retirement.