Verstappen's 2026 number confirmed as Ferrari leadership faces criticism

Max Verstappen will switch to race number 3 in 2026, while former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese has publicly questioned the technical leadership at Ferrari following a disappointing season for the Scuderia.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's number change, forced by his failure to win the 2025 drivers' title, marks a symbolic fresh start for the Dutch driver. Simultaneously, the public critique of Ferrari's management structure underscores the mounting pressure on Team Principal Fred Vasseur to deliver tangible results after several seasons of underperformance relative to the team's historic standards and budget.

The details:

• Verstappen's Number Switch: The Red Bull driver confirmed he will adopt the number 3 for the 2026 season, a move necessitated by losing the 2025 world championship to McLaren's Lando Norris. The number was previously used by Daniel Ricciardo and has long been Verstappen's preferred choice, despite his iconic use of number 33 earlier in his career.
• Ferrari Leadership Scrutiny: Former Williams driver Riccardo Patrese, 71, did not mince words in his assessment of Ferrari's 2025 campaign. He pointed directly at the team's leadership structure, arguing that the Scuderia lacks strong technical leaders at the helm.
• Pressure on Vasseur: Patrese emphasized that Team Principal Fred Vasseur has now had sufficient time to implement his vision and produce results, but has so far been unable to deliver the performance expected from Formula 1's most storied team.

The big picture:

These two stories highlight different facets of F1's off-season narrative. For Verstappen, the number change is a personal reset, but the underlying story is Red Bull's challenge to reclaim the championship from a resurgent McLaren. For Ferrari, the criticism from a respected figure like Patrese reflects a broader sentiment of impatience. The team's significant investment and resources have not translated into a sustained title challenge, putting the spotlight squarely on Vasseur's ability to orchestrate a technical turnaround and manage the team's complex internal dynamics.

What's next:

All eyes will be on how these narratives develop during the winter break. Verstappen will debut his new number in 2026 pre-season testing, while Ferrari's response to its internal and external critiques will become clearer with the development and launch of its 2026 car, a project that may define Vasseur's tenure at Maranello.