Max Verstappen has expressed his interest in changing his race number to three for the 2026 season if he loses his F1 championship and can no longer use number one on his Red Bull car. Initially, the 28-year-old used number 33 in the sport, a choice that became associated with him. However, he picked this number because his future teammate Daniel Ricciardo already had number three.
After winning his first world championship in 2021, Verstappen switched to number one, exclusive to defending champions. As the 2025 title seems likely to go to either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, Verstappen needs to decide on his number. At the Las Vegas Grand Prix, he announced his plan to switch to number three from 2026 onwards, pending approval from the FIA and Ricciardo. Ricciardo retired from motorsport earlier in 2024 after leaving Racing Bulls.
Verstappen mentioned his preference for number three but humorously admitted he also considered number 69, which his dad dismissed. He explained that 69 would present a consistent look on the car, making it a good marketing tool. Nevertheless, he favors number three, although he finds other numbers appealing.
Fortunately, Ricciardo is unlikely to oppose Verstappen’s choice as they maintain a strong friendship even after Ricciardo’s move to Renault and withdrawal from open-wheel motorsport. Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle by adding HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1, Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.
Ricciardo, in a letter to fans, announced his partnership with Ford as a Global Ford Racing Ambassador, emphasizing his enduring passion for motorsports and the joy it brought him. He highlighted the importance of fun and happiness in his racing career, leading him to seek ways to stay connected to the motorsport world post-retirement.