Max Verstappen has dropped a rather intriguing hint: he’d love to run Daniel Ricciardo’s iconic #3 for the 2026 F1 season – but only if he misses out on this year’s championship crown.
Heading into the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Dutchman finds himself staring up a 49-point mountain to Lando Norris. A huge points haul under the neon glow of the Strip is essential to keep his title hopes alive.
If Norris takes the win on Saturday night in Nevada, Verstappen’s only lifeline is a second-place finish. Slip more than 58 points behind the McLaren star, and Verstappen’s dream of a record-equalling fifth consecutive championship evaporates – along with his right to run the #1 plate.
A title defeat means Verstappen would be obliged to drop the #1 and revert to his longstanding #33.
But there’s a twist.
Following a recent gathering of the F1 Commission, the sport quietly tweaked its rules on how and when a driver may switch their number.
Traditionally, a driver’s race number is locked in for their entire career. The lone exception? If you win the championship, you’re allowed to run the prestigious #1.
However, after the Commission’s review, a new pathway has opened: drivers may request a number change from next season onwards, provided the FIA’s World Motorsport Council (WMSC) gives the green light.
Asked whether he’s eyeing a new look for 2026, Verstappen said that the door is open, but not quite unlocked yet.
“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 1 for two years yet.”
F1 rules “freeze” a driver’s number for two years after they stop competing, giving them first rights should they decide to come back.
Ricciardo’s return remains extremely unlikely, which means Verstappen could, in theory, pounce on the #3 – as long as Ricciardo gives his blessing and the WMSC signs off.
“I’ll see in the winter what it will be, but of course my favourite number is 3. Let’s see if that’s possible first,” Verstappen concluded.
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