Max Verstappen isn't just formidable on the track. The four-time Formula 1 world champion also knows how to be persuasive… over a drink. On the eve of the 2026 F1 season, the Dutchman humorously revealed how he obtained permission from Daniel Ricciardo to use his iconic number 3.
Max Verstappen: End of number 1, time for plan B
After four seasons with the number 1 on his Red Bull, Verstappen was forced to change. Beaten in the championship in 2025, the Dutchman saw that number reserved for the world champion… and that's Land Norris who will inherit it in 2026.
A symbolic but necessary change. One question remained: what number for Max Verstappen Number 33, which he used before his world titles, was a logical option. But the pilot Red Bull had another idea in mind.
The choice ultimately fell on number 3, long associated with Daniel Ricardo. A number that Verstappen already coveted from its beginnings in F1, without ever being able to use it while the Australian was on the grid.
Although he has been away from the grid since his retirement, Daniel Ricciardo It remained an unavoidable step. Out of respect, Max Verstappen insisted on asking for his approval. He was questioned during the season launch. Red Bull In Detroit, the Dutchman summed up the exchange with a mischievous grin and a broad smile:
"A few drinks." A phrase as brief as it is telling, true to Ricciardo's laid-back humor... and to the art of persuasion, in his own style. Verstappen.
In an interview given to Viaplay at the end of the season, Verstappen He detailed the reasons for his choice:
« My favorite number has always been three, apart from one. Thirty-three suited me well, but I find a single 3 more aesthetically pleasing than two.
He adds humorously: I always used to say that the 33 doubled my chances… but now it's not really necessary anymore.
Behind the lighthearted anecdote, the objective remains clear. Whether he wears number 3 or 33, Verstappen has only one idea in mind: to reclaim the number 1 spot in 2027. But everything will depend on the ability of Red Bull to master the regulatory revolution of 2026, marked by a new engine and an increased electric share.
One thing is certain: even without the number 1, Verstappen has lost none of his flair for words… nor his determination
