Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen currently races with #1, the number which can only be taken as the championship winner. However, with Lando Norris looking in the prime seat for the 2025 title, the Dutchman expressed his aspiration for a change in his racing number for 2026. An F1 Commission meeting took place earlier, which adjusted the rules and allowed a driver to change his racing number if granted approval by the FIA’s World Motorsport Council (WMSC). Previously, a driver couldn’t change his racing number once he entered F1, with the only exception being the champion opting for #1. Max Verstappen previously raced with #33 until the end of the 2021 season. However, since then, the Dutchman has won four consecutive titles and retained racing number #1. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both ahead of the Red Bull driver in the title fight, there’s a high probability of either of the two McLaren drivers taking the title. As a result, ahead of the 2025 Las Vegas GP, Verstappen was questioned about his number choice for the 2026 season, given the fact that the racing numbers can now be changed following approval. The four-time F1 champion explained how #3 has been his favourite number, and that he would like the same for 2026, but the same is currently reserved for Daniel Ricciardo. “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. Let’s see if that’s possible first,” added Verstappen When Max Verstappen arrived on the F1 scene, Daniel Ricciardo already raced with #3, and hence the Dutchman opted for #33. The Red Bull star was recognised as “MV33” with MV being his initials and 33 being his racing number. As per the rules, a number is reserved for two years for a driver who’s left the sport, or taken a sabbatical, as is the case with Ricciardo, whose last race was the 2024 Singapore GP. “Need a lot of luck”: Max Verstappen details his title chances ahead of the Las Vegas GP Max Verstappen was over 100 points behind the championship leader after the Dutch GP, but was able to claw his way back with the updated RB21, reducing it to less than 40 points. However, with Lando Norris dominating the Mexico City GP and Brazilian GP, the gap is up to 49 points going into the final 3 races. Speaking about the title challenge ahead of the 2025 Las Vegas GP, Verstappen said, “It doesn’t really change. It’s a lot of points so I’m not really thinking about it too much. There’s also not much I can do we need a lot of luck now until the end to even have an opportunity, so personally I don’t think about that.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-curtains-mv33-max-verstappen-expresses-aspirations-major-change-2026
Curtains for ‘MV33’? Max Verstappen expresses aspirations for a major change in 2026
