Daniel Ricciardo has granted Max Verstappen the right to use his former racing number starting from the 2026 Formula 1 season. According to a statement on Verstappen’s official website, the four-time world champion requested permission from his ex-Red Bull teammate Ricciardo to adopt the No. 3, and Ricciardo agreed.
Ricciardo had used the number 3 from 2014 until his final F1 race at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. Typically, F1 rules stipulate that a driver’s number remains assigned to them until they have been inactive for two seasons. However, although Ricciardo announced his retirement earlier this year, after talks with Verstappen, he allowed the Dutch driver to claim his old racing number prematurely.
Verstappen has decided to switch from his previous number 33, revealing that number 3 has always been his favorite. In an interview with Dutch broadcaster Viaplay, he said, “It won’t be number 33. My favorite number has always been number 3, besides number 1. Now that I can change it, I’ll go with number 3.” He also remarked, “Number 33 was okay, but I prefer a single 3 rather than double 3s. I’ve always said it symbolizes double luck, but I’ve already been fortunate in F1.”
Following his fourth consecutive World Championship win, Verstappen will carry the number 1 on his car from 2022 onward. Meanwhile, Lando Norris of McLaren has ended Verstappen’s four-year dominance in F1, and Norris will switch to number 1 in 2026.
Since changes in F1 regulations, Lewis Hamilton is the only reigning world champion who has opted not to use the number 1 on his car. The seven-time champion kept racing with the number 44 throughout his six title-winning seasons with Mercedes.
Fan Take: This development is a meaningful moment for racing fans, showcasing camaraderie and respect among top drivers in the sport. Verstappen adopting Ricciardo’s number 3 not only honors Ricciardo’s legacy but also adds a fresh layer of personal identity and history to Verstappen’s career, promising exciting narratives for the future of F1.
