Max Verstappen has driven with the number one on his car for the last four seasons as reigning world champion; the Red Bull driver has decided not to go back to the number 33 he used before his titles;

Ricciardo had the No. 3 when Verstappen joined the F1 grid with Toro Rossi in 2015, so the Dutchman went with No. 33. The two were also teammates with Red Bull from 2016-18. Verstappen won his first world title in 2021 and accepted the traditional honor of driving with the No. 1.

With Lando Norris taking over the champion’s No 1, Max Verstappen has chosen a fresh identity for 2026. The Red Bull star will race as car No 3.

Max Verstappen will take Daniel Ricciardo's old racing number three next season now that Lando Norris has put number one on his McLaren as Formula One world champion.