Max Verstappen has his eye on former teammate Daniel Ricciardo's old race car number if he has to relinquish the champion's No.1 next season.

Red Bull's four times world champion raced with the 33 before he took his first title in 2021, with plenty of numbered merchandise sold, but he told Dutch reporters in Las Vegas that he really wanted the Australian's number three.

A change in the rules, yet to be approved, means drivers will no longer have to stick with the same number through their careers but Ricciardo's remains technically unavailable despite him announcing his retirement.

The rules say a driver must not have raced for two consecutive seasons before the number can be reassigned. Ricciardo raced in Singapore in September last year.

The number one is reserved for the champion, i

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