Piastri's Future in Question as Verstappen Switches to Number 3

Oscar Piastri's camp is reportedly exploring options with other teams following his championship miss with McLaren, while Max Verstappen has chosen the number 3 for the 2026 season, moving on from his iconic 33.

Why it matters:

Piastri's potential departure talks signal internal dissatisfaction at McLaren and could trigger a major driver market shift for 2026. Verstappen's number change, while symbolic, marks a clear psychological break from his dominant championship era as he enters a new phase with Red Bull.

The details:

• Former McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya revealed that Piastri and his manager, Mark Webber, are in discussions with rival teams after the Australian driver failed to secure the 2025 title.
• Montoya cautioned Piastri to ensure that Webber's own past frustrations as an F1 driver do not cloud the young driver's judgment regarding his future career moves.
• Separately, Max Verstappen explained his decision to adopt the number 3 for the 2026 season, instead of returning to his previous number 33, following his loss of the number 1 plate.
• Verstappen stated the number 3 has always been his favorite and joked that it looks better on a car than 33. He has already used the number during a recent GT3 test in Estoril.

What's next:

The off-season will be critical for Piastri's future, with any firm move likely to reshape the 2026 driver lineup. Verstappen's new number will become a visual symbol of his renewed challenge next season, as both drivers and teams reset their ambitions.