Max Verstappen will use the number 3 on his car next season, switching from 33, which he's used for his whole Formula 1 career so far.

After winning four titles, Verstappen spent the last four seasons with the number 1, as is proper for the champion. But Lando Norris's win in Abu Dhabi changes things, and Verstappen is moving to a different number.

Verstappen said his favourite number has always been 3.

Norris said he would use the champion’s number on his McLaren next season. The rules about permanent driver numbers didn't allow drivers to switch numbers during their careers, except for the world champion.

Now, there's a new rule that lets drivers take available numbers. With Daniel Ricciardo gone and not planning to return to Formula 1, his old number, 3, will go to Verstappen, his former Red Bull teammate.

Verstappen wanted number 3 when he first came to Formula 1, but Ricciardo had it. Verstappen's website says Ricciardo helped with the number change, which suggests that Ricciardo is not planning on returning to the grid.

Talking to Dutch broadcaster Viaplay about his number in 2026, Verstappen said it won’t be 33. His favourite number has always been 3, besides number 1. Now that he can switch, he will.

He added that 33 was fine, but he likes one 3 better than two. He used to say it meant double luck, but he feels he's already had his share of luck in Formula 1.

The permanent driver number rules started in 2014. Drivers can pick any number between 2 and 99 to use during their Formula 1 career, but 1 is only for the reigning World Champion.

If a driver's first choice isn't free when they join the grid, like it was for Charles Leclerc [16], Yuki Tsunoda [11], and Carlos Sainz [5] before, they pick their second choice, and so on.

The only number no one can use is 17, which was retired to honour Jules Bianchi.

After failing to make it past the group stage in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Sudan is heading to the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, hoping for a better result.

This will be the East African team's 11th appearance in the tournament. They were there right from the start, hosting the first one in 1957.

Back in the day, Sudan was a top team in Africa, winning the tournament in 1970 on their home turf. This was shortly after Gaafar Nimeiry's coup, and their star player was Mustafa Azhari Alawad.

But after 1970, when Mustafa retired, the team went into a slump. They lost their spot as a major power in African soccer to other teams.

This decline meant that Sudan had to wait 32 years to get back into the Africa Cup of Nations in 2008. They didn't do well, losing all three games 3-0.

However, Sudan had their best showing yet in the 2012 AFCON, reaching the quarterfinals. Since then, they've been dealing with some big issues that have slowed down the growth of Sudanese soccer.

After 2012, Sudan had another four-year wait before returning to the AFCON, qualifying for the Cameroon edition. That tournament, the 33rd, featured 24 teams.

Sudan was placed in Group D with Nigeria, Egypt, and Guinea-Bissau. They started with a 0-0 draw against Guinea-Bissau, then lost 3-1 to Nigeria. Their run ended with a 1-0 loss to Egypt.

How did Sudan qualify this time?

Despite the civil war in the country, the Falcons of Jediane managed to qualify for the final round of games. After losing 3-0 to Niger, Sudan secured second place in Group F with a 0-0 draw against Angola in Libya. Angola finished top of the group with 14 points, while Sudan had eight points. Sudan qualified instead of Ghana, which finished with three points.

When will Sudan play?

Under Ghanaian coach James Kwesi Appiah, the Falcons of Jediane are in a tough Group E with Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea.

Sudan will begin against Algeria on Wednesday, December 24, at Moulay Hassan Stadium. Then, they will play Equatorial Guinea at Stade Mohammed V on December 28, Sunday. Their last group game will be against Burkina Faso on Wednesday, December 31, at Stade Mohammed V.

What does coach Kwesi Appiah say?

Before the AFCON starts, the 64-year-old, who used to coach Ghana’s Black Stars, said he believes they can do well. He said their goal in Morocco is to compete for the trophy.

“We're not just there to participate, but to fight for the trophy. I think if we have the right attitude, we can do it. There’s no reason to go to the competition if you don’t want to win.

“We are going to Morocco with ambition and belief,” Appiah told CAFOnline.com in a recent interview.

About their group, he said, “We respect the other teams, but we won't be afraid. If you think too much about big names like Messi or Ronaldo, you've already lost. I'm telling my players to believe in themselves and show what Sudan can do. We are there to compete, not just to be there.”

When asked what they want to achieve, he said, “One step at a time. First, we want to get out of the group. Then, we'll try to beat whoever we face in the next round. Once you get there, anything can happen.”

Appiah added, “Our strength is our team spirit and determination. Many of our young players are full of energy and are improving fast. We also have a few players from abroad, including one from Australia, who could surprise people. Fans should watch out for some new names.”

The AFCON 2025 will be held from December 21 to January 18, 2026. This will be the second time Morocco has hosted the tournament, after 1988.

Sudan squad for AFCON 2025:

Goalkeepers: Ali Aboeshren, Mohamed Elnour, Monged Elneel.

Defenders: Mohamed Saeed, Alyayeb Abdelrazig, Mustafa Abdelgadir, Yasser Awad, Bakhit Khamis (Captain), Mazin Mohamedein, Awad Zaid, Ahmed Abdelmonem, and Mohamed Kesra.

Midfielders: Abuaagla Abdalla, Walieldin Khidr, Abdelrazig Omer, Ammar Tayfour, Salaheldin Adil, Musa Hussain, Sheddy Ezeldin, and Amar Yunis.

Forwards: Yasser Mozamil, Mohamed Abdelrhman, John Otenyal, Mohamed Essa, Elgozoli Hussain, Abobaker Essa, and Mohamed Teya.