P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen had exercised his right to choose a brand new race number for his 2026 Formula 1 season now he has to relinquish #1
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen changed his race number to the one previously held by his former team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. Since the introduction of permanent driver numbers in 2014, Ricciardo had exclusively used the #3. Verstappen had initially chosen the #33 upon joining the grid, having used the #3 in his earlier single-seater racing. Verstappen expressed his excitement about switching to the #3 in a recent interview. He had held the #1 as the defending champion for the past four seasons, but relinquished it to Lando Norris this year. Other drivers, including Norris and rookie Arvid Lindblad, are also making number changes for the upcoming season.
