F1 fans are all making the same point as Max Verstappen considers Daniel Ricciardo number switch

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Max Verstappen has expressed his desire to adorn his Red Bull with the number 3 next season, and F1 fans have had their say on the switch that would see him utilise Daniel Ricciardo’s former number in the sport.

Prior to winning his first world championship in 2021, Max Verstappen had spent the entirety of his F1 career using number 33 as his allocated driver number.

Upon becoming a world champion, the Dutchman took the opportunity to switch to #1, a driver number reserved exclusively for the reigning title winner.

Despite still being in contention for a fifth successive title this season, to which F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes is a genuine possibility, his 49-point deficit to Lando Norris with three rounds remaining gives the feat an unlikely probability.

READ MORE: Daniel Ricciardo delivers ‘ridiculous’ Max Verstappen message and shares Yuki Tsunoda verdict at United States GP

F1 fans react to Max Verstappen’s desire to change driver number in 2026

Upon Verstappen’s comments regarding a switch from #33 to #3 next season, if he is unsuccessful in stealing the title away from either of the McLaren duo, fans quickly took to social media to express their opinion on the change.

The overriding sentiment among fans on X (formerly Twitter) was that the number 33 had become synonymous with the Red Bull star in F1 as they pleaded with him not to make the change, with one fan commenting, “Max, please stay with 33.”

Another fan wrote, “I don’t know how to feel about that, 33 has such beautiful memories,” in reference to the 28-year-old’s impressive rise from rookie to world champion in a #33-branded F1 car.

Some fans pointed to the unique nature of his original number as a reason to keep it, with one X user posting, “33 is such a cool number, for me it’s more ‘Max’s number’ than even number 1… so Max, think twice please.”

Another user echoed the sentiment, commenting, “I really hope he doesn’t. 33 has become his number; when people say 33, they think of Max.”

Given the fact that he has used the number throughout his career in Formula 1, one fan highlighted the brand that he has developed with the number, saying, “33 is Max’s number and he should keep it as his very own; it suits his brand very well.”

Finally, another F1 fan pointed towards the fact that #3 has always been Daniel Ricciardo’s number, and despite the fact he has now retired from motorsports, it still belongs to the Australian, writing, “No thanks. 33 is just so much better. 3 belongs to Ricciardo.”

READ MORE: Why Christian Horner once forced Max Verstappen to apologise to Red Bull staff after unacceptable Daniel Ricciardo clash

Max Verstappen would require approval from Daniel Ricciardo to change his driver number to #3

Verstappen’s desire to switch emerged after he was asked by journalists ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix what number he would be racing with next year.

The four-time world champion then revealed his wish to use #3. However, switching driver numbers isn’t as clear-cut as one might think.

Previously, drivers were unable to change their race number from the one they chose ahead of their debut in the sport.

The rules have now changed, reportedly after Red Bull requested a review of it at the most recent meeting of the F1 Commission, and drivers are now allowed to change the numerical value of their entry if they wish to do so.

Despite this, Verstappen still needs approval from Ricciardo due to the fact that the Australian hasn’t been absent from the grid for the two-year period that is required.

Asked about the change, he said, via De Telegraaf, “I do indeed need approval, so it’s a good question which number I’ll be driving next year.

“My favourite number is 3, but I still have to wait and see if that’s actually possible and permitted. We’ll see in the winter. Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter to me.”