Max Verstappen’s wish has been granted and the Dutchman will be able to race with starting number 3 in 2026 – this number was actually reserved for Daniel Ricciardo
Max Verstappen will have to give up his starting number 1 in the 2026 Formula 1 season. Only the world champion is allowed to start with this number in the premier class, and because Verstappen lost his title in 2025, this privilege will go to the new champion Lando Norris in 2026.
Theoretically, Verstappen could have used the number 33 again from next year, which he had on his car until he won his first title in 2021. However, the Dutchman has already announced that he wants to change his starting number.
Now, the four-time world champion has officially confirmed that he will race with the number 3 in the 2026 season. “It won’t be number 33. My favorite number has always been 3, apart from number 1,” Verstappen told Viaplay.
“Now we can swap, so it will be number 3,” he reveals, adding with a smile: “Number 33 was always fine, but I just prefer a 3 to a 2. I’ve always said it means double luck, but I’ve already had my luck in Formula 1.”
The swap is only possible because Daniel Ricciardo is voluntarily giving up “his” number. This is because Formula 1 regulations stipulate that a starting number is only released again if a driver has not participated in any Grand Prix for two seasons.
However, Ricciardo’s last Formula 1 race in Singapore in September 2024 was just over a year ago, which is why the number 3 was actually still blocked. However, as the Australian is not planning a comeback, he has now released his number ahead of schedule.
The official Formula 1 rules for the 2026 season state in Article A2.4.1: “Drivers may apply in writing to the FIA for a change of their starting number, provided that this request is made before the publication of the championship entry list and is to take effect only in the following championship.”
The official entry list for the new Formula 1 season is to be published by the FIA on Friday.
