Formula 1 fans think they have worked out the ‘real reason’ Max Verstappen has confirmed he will race in car number 3 during the 2026 campaign.
Verstappen had previously competed in car 33 during his time with Toro Rosso, which began in 2015, before taking the number 1 after winning the first of four championships with Red Bull back in 2021.
Since then, Verstappen drove number 1 while winning the next three titles – in 2022, 2023 and 2024 – but 2025 world champion Lando Norris will have the honour in 2026, having pipped the Dutchman to the championship in the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
And instead of opting to take back the number 33, Verstappen will be number 3, which was previously held by his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
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Speaking in an interview with Viaplay, the four-time world champion explained: “It won't be number 33. My favourite number has always been 3, apart from number 1. We can now swap, so it’ll be number 3.
“Number 33 was always fine, but I just like one 3 better than two. I always said it represented double luck, but I've already had my luck in Formula 1.”
According to F1, the FIA and Ricciardo have permitted Verstappen to use the number in the upcoming season.
And despite Verstappen claiming that his favourite number is 3, fans have an alternative theory.
On Thursday (December 18), Oracle Red Bull Racing posted a graphic of a red number 3 to confirm the switch before fans focused on a small detail of the post.
Some fans suggested that if you turn the post upside down, the silver colour next to the red three looks like a number 1, which could be perceived as Max still being number one.
Of course, this is a fan theory, and there’s nothing to suggest Red Bull intended for it to be interpreted as some fans have.
Nevertheless, some saw the funny side on social media.
One said: “You can take the Verstappen out of the 1, but you can’t take the 1 out of Verstappen.”
Another added: “Just a coincidence.”
A third commented: “I'm gonna shed a tear when I see the number 3 on a Red Bull in a couple of months”
Verstappen finished two points before Norris in the 2025 standings after a late resurgence, but he could ultimately not secure a fifth successive triumph.
The 2026 F1 season will get underway in Melbourne in March.
Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Lando Norris
Luke Davies