Verstappen teases 2026 car number choice after title defeat to Norris

 Max Verstappen has opened up about what his race number could be next season after losing the No. 1 to Lando Norris.

"Probably not 33. I'm still thinking about it"

Max Verstappen

Speaking to DAZN Spain after the race, the Dutchman, who has raced with the No. 1 on his car for the past four years, admitted he’s still thinking about which number to use next season.

"Probably not 33. I'm still thinking about it," he said, hinting that he might opt for a different number with the arrival of the new generation of cars.

The four-time world champion ultimately lost out by just two points to Lando Norris, who kept his cool and secured a third-place finish that was enough to clinch the title.

Photo: Race Pictures

What remains impressive is the Dutchman’s remarkable comeback after the summer break, when, following the Zandvoort GP, the mountain of points he needed to recover seemed almost impossible to climb.

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The Dutchman did his part, winning the race and comfortably keeping the two title rivals at bay, but it wasn’t enough to secure a fifth consecutive world championship.

Many had expected Verstappen to slow the pace to keep the field together and not aid McLarens’ strategy, but that didn’t happen in the end.