Max Verstappen Plagued by the Infamous 'Number Three Curse' as He Struggles in 2026 Season!
In a shocking twist of fate, Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time Formula 1 champion, is facing a daunting challenge in the 2026 F1 season, echoing the early career woes of his former teammate, Daniel Ricciardo. After switching to the number three car—a number previously carried by Ricciardo—Verstappen's season has become mired in controversy and disappointment, leading fans and pundits alike to speculate about the so-called 'number three curse.'
The curse has manifested dramatically in Verstappen's first three races, where he has endured a disqualification (DSQ) and a dreaded did-not-finish (DNF). The latest blow came at the Nurburgring, where Verstappen's car was disqualified due to a tire infringement just days after he retired from the Chinese Grand Prix because of an ERS cooling problem. This alarming trend has sparked conversations about whether the number three is indeed a jinx in the high-stakes world of F1 racing.
Verstappen, who has raced under the number 33 since his F1 debut in 2015, made the bold decision to adopt the number three for this season after receiving Ricciardo's blessing during the 2025 United States Grand Prix. Ricciardo, who stepped away from motorsport last September, was more than happy to pass the torch to Verstappen, viewing it as a cool story for fans who supported them during their time as teammates.
However, the parallels between the two drivers' careers are uncanny. Ricciardo's own journey with the number three began on a rocky note in 2014 when he faced disqualification for a fuel infringement after finishing second in his home race in Melbourne. He followed this with a DNF in Malaysia and a fourth-place finish in Bahrain, mirroring Verstappen's turmoil as he begins to navigate his new identity on the track.
Verstappen's current struggles stem not just from bad luck but also from the challenges Red Bull faces in 2026 as the team produces its own engines for the first time in collaboration with Ford. This transition has proven to be anything but smooth for the Dutch star. His season commenced with a disastrous qualifying round at the Australian Grand Prix, where he spun out and failed to set a time. Although he managed to secure sixth place in the race, he finished a staggering minute behind the victorious Mercedes of George Russell.
The Nurburgring race further compounded Verstappen's woes, as he was disqualified after qualifying on pole by an impressive 1.9 seconds and finishing nearly a minute ahead in the four-hour race. The disqualification came as a result of using more tires than allowed—a blunder that has left fans and analysts questioning whether the number three has indeed brought a curse upon the talented driver.
In a recent interview, Ricciardo expressed his delight in seeing Verstappen take the number three, stating, “It’s a pleasure for me to pass that number on to him now.” Yet, as the season unfolds, many are left wondering if Verstappen will be able to break free from the curse that has plagued both him and Ricciardo in their early days with the number three.
With the pressure mounting and expectations high, will Verstappen rise above this adversity, or is he doomed to repeat history? F1 fans are on the edge of their seats, waiting to see if the talented racer can shake off the 'number three curse' and reclaim his position at the top of the grid. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this thrilling saga as it develops!
