WHY NUMBER 3? THE HIDDEN MEANING BEHIND MAX'S NEW RACING DIGIT FOR THE 2026 SEASON
Max Verstappen is Number 3: Read about his 2026 F1 "Evolution," life as a dad, and why he’s not bothered by Lando Norris's title.
For the first time since 2021, the four-time champ kicks off the 2026 season without the number 1 on his car. Last year, Lando Norris took the title, so Verstappen is switching things up.
Still, Verstappen doesn’t seem bothered. “That’s just how it goes,” he told Kicker. “It happens in Formula 1 and everywhere else; sooner or later, someone else takes the top spot. It’s not a big deal for me. I don’t own first place.”
So, instead of the champion’s number, Verstappen’s going with number 3 in 2026.
Even though he’s known for being fiercely competitive, Verstappen says there’s something he cares about more these days: family. “I always wanted this,” he said, talking about becoming a dad. “I’d already seen how amazing it is. It’s honestly better than winning a race or a championship. Watching your kids grow up – that’s the best thing.”
He and Kelly Piquet had a daughter last year, and he has also grown close to Piquet’s daughter, Penelope, from her previous relationship.
Speaking to GQ Australia, Verstappen said his entire perspective on racing has shifted as he has grown older. “I’ve already achieved a lot, and sure, I want to keep going, but honestly, I just want to enjoy myself. That’s why I fell in love with racing as a kid. Just having fun out there, driving.”
He admits he’s changed on track, too. “When I was 17 or 18, all I wanted was to go flat out, all the time. Now, I build up to it more. With experience, you learn when to push and when to hold back.”
Thinking back to one of his best qualifying laps at Silverstone last year, he said, “After the first two sectors, I could see I was way ahead. So in the final sector, I took it a bit easier, just to avoid making a mistake.” That’s a big change from earlier in his career. “There was a lap in Jeddah in 2021 where I was flying, but I pushed too much in the final corner and hit the wall. Sometimes you just have to know your limits, maybe play it a little safe.”
Verstappen says he actually enjoys hanging out with the new wave of young drivers coming into Formula 1. “It’s kind of refreshing to talk to them. They’re all pretty friendly, and I feel like I can relate to them.”
But he’s realistic; he won’t be around forever. “I hope I’m still here to see that new generation take over Formula 1.”
When he looks ahead, Verstappen sums it up in one word: 'evolution'.
CHECO RETURNS: SERGIO PEREZ OFFICIALLY DEBUTS FOR CADILLAC AT THE 2026 AUSTRALIAN GP
A new era for Checo: Get the report on Perez’s Red Bull exit, his year away, and his partnership with Bottas at Cadillac Racing.
Sergio Perez looks like a new man. He’s back in Formula 1 after a year away, and honestly, he seems more alive than he ever was at Red Bull. Now he’s rolling with Cadillac, who are making its debut in the sport, and you can see the energy in him; he’s excited, refreshed, and just really happy to be back.
People have been talking about his age and the time he spent away from racing, but Perez isn’t worried. He believes in what Cadillac can do, and he’s clear about what he can bring to the table. Sure, his pre-season testing didn’t exactly blow anyone away, but that’s not stopping him. After a rough stint at Red Bull, he’s ready to chase success all over again.
The pressure of Red Bull is gone, and you can tell. Anthony Davidson noticed it too. On Ted Kravitz’s Melbourne Podbook, Davidson mentioned seeing Perez smile in a way he hadn’t since before Red Bull. That says a lot. The Red Bull years really took it out of him.
Davidson said, “I haven’t seen that smile on Checo’s face in a long time. I think since before he joined Red Bull. So it’s great to see both drivers happy.” And it’s not just Perez; Rachel Brookes pointed out that his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, was also in great spirits during the media day. Bottas even joked about his championship picks, saying Fernando, Lance, and George, because, according to him, they were all sandbagging.
Brookes added that Bottas is in such a good mood now, and taking that year away really gave him a new appreciation for the sport. It’s brought out a whole new energy in him.
So here they are: Perez and Bottas, lining up for Cadillac’s first season in F1. No one’s expecting them to win a bunch of races or stand on the podium every weekend, but their job is huge. Being the first drivers for a brand-new team is a massive challenge, and they’ve got to prove that both they and Cadillac have what it takes.
Their main goal? Get points as often as possible. Perez probably feels the pressure a bit more than Bottas, but both know what’s expected of them. Cadillac wants to make a splash in its debut season, and everything depends on how Perez and Bottas perform. They’re front and centre for whatever success comes Cadillac’s way.
TITLE RACE IGNITES: GEORGE RUSSELL TARGETS MAX VERSTAPPEN AS THE PRIMARY 2026 CHAMPIONSHIP RIVAL
Breaking F1 News: Russell vs Verstappen. Find out if George can maintain his 2025 form and secure his first F1 title this season.
George Russell’s been waiting for this. After years of hoping, 2026 could finally be his moment to go all in for the Formula 1 drivers’ title with Mercedes.
Toto Wolff’s already admitted they probably should’ve moved Russell to Mercedes sooner, instead of letting him sit at Williams for three seasons. When Russell finally joined, Lewis Hamilton had just lost the championship to Max Verstappen, and then, just like that, Mercedes lost their edge.
But if Mercedes really has their act together in 2026, I expect Russell to be right at the front, fighting for the championship. He’s done more than 150 races but only picked up five wins so far. That could change in a big way.
A lot of people already have Mercedes down as the team to beat this season. And if it comes down to Russell versus his new teenage teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, you can bet Russell backs himself.
Journalist Edd Straw, after hearing Russell talk during pre-season, thinks Russell’s only got one real rival in his head this year: Max Verstappen. Apparently, when Straw asked Russell if he wanted to prove himself against the best, Russell didn’t hesitate; he immediately started talking about Verstappen without even being asked directly. It’s like he’s already brushed aside Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and even Charles Leclerc. In Russell’s mind, he can handle them. Verstappen’s the one he truly wants to measure himself against.
Russell knows every battle with Verstappen is about more than just points. There’s a history there of disagreements and tense moments, and it’s got the makings of a real rivalry. Honestly, there’s nothing F1 fans would love more than a season-long fight between Russell and Verstappen, maybe even throwing Hamilton into the mix for old times’ sake.
But Russell versus Verstappen? That’s the match-up that could really catch fire. Verstappen’s the established force, and he’ll want to show Russell who’s boss. Russell, on the other hand, is ready to be a thorn in his side.
As for the season ahead, it’s going to be fascinating to watch which teams can keep up with car development. McLaren isn't planning any big upgrades before the Australian Grand Prix, while Aston Martin desperately needs some fixes after a rough start to 2026.
If the title fight does come down to Russell and Verstappen, Mercedes and Red Bull will have to pull out all the stops to support their drivers. Still, Martin Brundle is tipping Charles Leclerc to take the win in Melbourne, which would be a big deal for Ferrari – his first since Mexico 2024.
If that happens, Russell might have to take Leclerc a bit more seriously as a rival. But after almost a perfect season last year, missing points just once in 24 races, if Russell keeps up that form, it’s going to be tough for anyone, even Leclerc or Verstappen, to stop him.
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