Max Verstappen hints at Daniel Ricciardo-inspired F1 number change

Max Verstappen has hinted at wanting to take the #3 driver number from Daniel Ricciardo for next season, should he fail to claim this year's drivers' title. 

Verstappen enters this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix 49 points adrift of Lando Norris, with a big points haul being needed in Sin City to keep him mathematically in contention. 

Should Norris win on Saturday night in Nevada, Verstappen must finish in second. If he falls beyond 58 points adrift of the Briton, then a record-equalling fifth consecutive title will not be possible for the Red Bull driver.

If Verstappen fails to beat both McLarens to the title, he will be forced to relinquish the #1 and return to his initial #33. 

However, following a recent meeting of the F1 Commission, an agreement was reached on the rules surrounding a driver changing their number. 

Based on the current rules, a driver must stick to the same number for their entire career, unless a title is won, in which case the #1 can be used.

Those rules have been adjusted following the F1 Commission meeting, with a driver now being able to change numbers from next season if granted approval by the FIA's World Motorsport Council (WMSC)

Asked if he is eager for a number change for 2026, Verstappen told select media including RacingNews365: "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."

When a driver is not competing , their number is frozen for two years in order to protect it should they return. 

With Ricciardo highly unlikely to return, a switch to the #3 could be possible for Verstappen if he receives permission from his former team-mate.

"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," concluded Verstappen.