Verstappen's switch to number 3 mirrors Ricciardo's rocky start

Max Verstappen's change to the number 3 for the 2026 season has been followed by an uncanny repeat of the misfortune his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo experienced when he first used it. After a DNF in China and a disqualification from a Nürburgring endurance race, Verstappen's start with the new number eerily parallels Ricciardo's own troubled beginning with Red Bull in 2014.

Why it matters:

For a dominant four-time champion, any streak of bad luck becomes a major narrative. This quirky 'curse' highlights the immense pressure on Verstappen and Red Bull as they navigate a critical season developing their new in-house power unit with Ford. The parallel to Ricciardo's past adds a psychological layer to the early-season struggles, questioning whether it's mere coincidence or a symbolic burden for the reigning champion.

The details:

• Verstappen's difficult start to 2026 includes a spin in Australian GP qualifying, a retirement in China due to an ERS cooling issue, and a post-race DSQ at the Nürburgring for a tyre allocation infringement.
• The pattern mirrors Daniel Ricciardo's first three races with Red Bull in 2014, where he was disqualified from his home podium in Australia and then retired from the next race in Malaysia.
• Ricciardo, who retired in 2025, gave Verstappen his blessing to use the number 3 after being approached at the 2025 US Grand Prix, calling it "a pleasure" to pass the number on.
• The statistical coincidence, first noted on social media, has fueled talk of a 'number three curse' as Verstappen adapts to life without his familiar number 33.

What's next:

All eyes will be on whether Verstappen can break the supposed curse in the upcoming races. The focus for Red Bull remains squarely on solving the technical reliability issues with their new Ford-powered engine package. If performance and luck turn around, this story will fade as a curious footnote. If struggles persist, the narrative around the number switch and its symbolic weight will only grow louder, adding an unexpected psychological element to Red Bull's 2026 title defense.