Max Verstappen will switch to the number 3 for the 2026 F1 season, adopting the digit long-associated with former teammate Daniel Ricciardo. The move, enabled by an FIA rule change and Ricciardo's permission, comes after Verstappen lost the champion's number 1 to Lando Norris and signifies a fresh start under the new regulations.
Christian Horner is in talks for a sensational F1 return, while Max Verstappen will adopt a new driver number for 2026 after losing the #1 to champion Lando Norris. The news comes as the sport issues a key update ahead of next year's major technical regulation changes.
Liam Lawson says he learned from teammate Isack Hadjar's impressive rookie F1 season at Racing Bulls, where the pair scored most of the team's points. Lawson praised Hadjar's rapid adaptation and credited their partnership as a positive and educational experience.
Max Verstappen has confirmed he will race with the number 3 starting in 2026, abandoning the champion's number 1. He revealed number 3 has always been his favorite and secured permission from its previous holder, Daniel Ricciardo, to use it.
Max Verstappen is seeking to use Daniel Ricciardo's number '3' for the 2026 F1 season, requiring his former teammate's blessing. A recent rule change allows drivers to switch numbers, with the FIA's final list due December 20. If unsuccessful, Verstappen will revert to his classic '33'.
The 2026 F1 regulations bring a complete technical revolution: smaller, lighter cars with a 50/50 hybrid power unit, active aerodynamics with adjustable wings, and new strategic engine modes that replace DRS. The changes aim to create closer racing, higher top speeds, and a greater emphasis on sustainable technology.
Red Bull has made a tough call on a junior driver's future, as Lewis Hamilton points to a serious tire wear issue with Ferrari—a problem he'll inherit next season, highlighting the team's key developmental challenge.
Yuki Tsunoda, demoted to a Red Bull reserve role for 2026 after being replaced at Racing Bulls, faces a pivotal career challenge. With Alex Albon's successful comeback from a similar position as a blueprint, Tsunoda's path back to a full-time F1 seat depends on his performance in the simulator and seizing any mid-race opportunities that emerge.
The F1 calendar is set for changes as key contracts near their end. Imola departs after 2025, while Barcelona and Zandvoort face uncertainty after 2026. In contrast, races in Miami, Austria, and Australia have secured their places for decades, highlighting the sport's long-term commitment to certain markets and venues.
A statistical deep dive reveals Oscar Piastri finished the 2025 F1 season with a better average race position (2.7) than his championship-winning McLaren teammate Lando Norris (3.6), highlighting the Australian's remarkable consistency despite losing the title fight in the final rounds.
Max Verstappen tested a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in Portugal, evaluating a potential switch from Ferrari for his 2026 GT3 campaign. The test with the 2 Seas Motorsport team focuses on finding the best car for Nürburgring Nordschleife endurance events, though his participation in the 24-hour race remains uncertain due to F1 calendar clashes.
Ex-F1 driver Derek Daly argues McLaren's policy of letting both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri fight for the championship is unsustainable. He believes Red Bull's focused support for Max Verstappen nearly won them the 2025 title and that McLaren will struggle to beat such a strategy without prioritizing one of their own drivers.
