Verstappen wants Ricciardo’s race number for 2026 – but why?

As the neon lights of Las Vegas’ flicker behind him, Max Verstappen is already planning for a future that likely won’t include the famous #1 race number on his Red Bull.

With McLaren’s Lando Norris now the favourite to snatch the 2025 world title in the final three races, the four-time champion is now considering whether to revert to his trademark number 33, or opt for something entirely different, if permitted.

And as ever with Verstappen, the thought process is a mix of cool logic and deadpan mischief.

“That’s a very good question!” he said with a grin when asked what he’ll run next year. “I will look at it over the winter, but my favourite number is #3. We just need to see whether that is actually possible.”

It’s been a while since Verstappen raced without the #1, having claimed it – and kept it – since 2022. But under the rulebook, when a reigning champion stops reigning, they must return to their permanent driver number. For Verstappen, that’s #33.

He could simply stick with it. But where’s the fun in that?

The Numbers Game – With a Max Twist

With Verstappen’s former Red Bull teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, having used the #3 most recently, the Dutchman would need the FIA’s blessing to claim it.

Drivers retain exclusive rights to their numbers for two seasons after they last compete; Ricciardo hasn’t met that threshold yet, even though he has announced his retirement.

Still, Verstappen is tempted. That isn’t his only mischievous thought, either.

“I actually wanted #69, but my dad said ‘that’s not a good idea’,” Verstappen admitted, entirely straight-faced. “But that number always looks the same, no matter how you look at the car!”

He warmed to the idea, riffing on the marketing potential.

“#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.”

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If that doesn’t fly – and let’s face it, the FIA may clutch its pearls – he’s got backup choices.

“I also like #27, but Nico already has that,” he said. “I think #2 and #7 look really nice together in terms of shape. So #3 is my favourite number, but there are several numbers I find cool.”

The FIA, for its part, recently confirmed that drivers may soon be allowed to change numbers mid-career.

“Changes to the regulation on permanent competition numbers for drivers, introduced for the 2014 season, were discussed. It was agreed that a proposal for drivers to change their numbers during their career would be permitted,” it stated in a recent F1 Commission meeting.

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