Max Verstappen Merchandise 2026: The No. 33 to No. 3 Buying Guide
Searching for "Verstappen merchandise" in 2026 turns up a genuine split between old and new: years of No. 33 product built up during his title-winning run, and a fresh wave of No. 3 gear that only became current this season. Here's what's official, what changed, and where to find each type of Verstappen-branded product.
Max Verstappen enters 2026 with the biggest personal-branding shift of any driver on the grid — not a team change, but a number change that touches every piece of merchandise carrying his name. After years of building recognition around No. 33, his gear now carries a single digit for the first time in his career, which makes knowing what's actually current more useful than usual before buying.
Verstappen Merchandise by the Numbers
- No. 33 to No. 3: Verstappen used No. 33 for his entire F1 career prior to 2026; for 2026 he switches to No. 3, per Red Bull's own driver-number overview and Sky Sports race coverage.
- Daniel Ricciardo released the number: No. 3 belonged to Ricciardo from the start of Verstappen's career. Ricciardo's last F1 race was the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, and a driver's number typically stays out of circulation for a period after they stop competing — Ricciardo personally gave Verstappen permission to use it early, per ESPN and Motorsport.com.
- Lost the No. 1 option for 2026: only the reigning world champion may race with No. 1. Verstappen lost the 2025 title fight to Lando Norris, so the No. 1 option now belongs to Norris's merchandise line instead, per our Norris merchandise guide.
- Castore stays as Red Bull's kit supplier: Castore continues producing Red Bull Racing's 2026 range, with an added New Era capsule collection for the new season, per PlanetF1 and GPFans race-week coverage.
What's Actually Official Right Now
1. Castore x Red Bull Racing Team Kit (2026)
This is the official race-team merchandise, made by Castore under Red Bull's kit licence and sold through the official Red Bull Racing store and the F1 Store. Verstappen's caps, polos and outerwear now carry his No. 3 in Red Bull's current livery. Search current Verstappen Red Bull-style caps on Amazon for lower-priced licensed and fan-made alternatives to a full team-store kit purchase.
2. Why the Number Changed From 33 to 3
Verstappen has said he always preferred a single-digit number — in his words, one three is cleaner than two. No. 3 wasn't available when his career started because Daniel Ricciardo, his future Red Bull teammate, already held it. Ricciardo retired from F1 after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, and because a departing driver's number is normally held out of circulation for a period afterward, the number wasn't automatically free even once Ricciardo stopped racing. Ricciardo personally gave his blessing for Verstappen to take it early for 2026, closing out a number he'd carried since his own Red Bull days.
3. Everyday & Collector Items Featuring His Number or Likeness
Beyond official team kit, most day-to-day Verstappen merchandise fans buy is generic F1 product tied to his number, team or driver likeness rather than a licensed capsule piece — and this is where our category guides come in.
- Caps & team kit: our best F1 hats guide covers Red Bull's 2026 Castore kit alongside other teams.
- Jerseys & team wear: see our best F1 jerseys guide for No. 3 and Red Bull-livery options.
- Trading cards: Verstappen remains one of the most-collected names on the grid — see our best F1 trading cards guide for current sets.
- Diecast & model cars: our best F1 model cars guide ranks Red Bull liveries by scale and price.
- Mugs & everyday items: our best F1 mugs guide covers No. 3 and Red Bull-livery designs at everyday prices.
Verstappen Merchandise Comparison
| Line | Made/Sold By | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Castore x Red Bull 2026 team kit (No. 3) | Red Bull Racing Store / F1 Store | Fans who want current official race-team kit |
| New Era capsule collection | Red Bull Racing Store / New Era | Fans who want off-track headwear and lifestyle pieces |
| Career-era No. 33 product | Resale, older stock | Collectors who specifically want his title-winning years |
| Generic No. 3 / Red Bull merch | Amazon and third-party retailers | Everyday budget items (mugs, cases, posters) |
How to Avoid Buying the Wrong Verstappen Gear
Check the Number, Not Just the Name
Because Verstappen's number just changed for the first time in his career, a listing with his name but the old No. 33 is career-era product, not current 2026 stock. If a listing doesn't specify or show the number clearly, assume it could be either — check the product photo before buying if you want current-season gear specifically.
Know the Kit Supplier Stayed the Same
Unlike some teams that switched apparel suppliers for 2026, Red Bull kept Castore, so the cut, materials and price points of Verstappen's team kit are consistent with recent seasons — the number is what changed, not the manufacturer.
Decide If You Want the Title-Era No. 33 or Current No. 3
Both are legitimate purchases depending on what you're after: No. 33 pieces capture his championship-winning seasons, while No. 3 is what he'll actually be racing with in 2026 and beyond. Neither is "wrong" — just be clear on which one you're buying before checking out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number does Max Verstappen race with in 2026?
Max Verstappen races with No. 3 in 2026, switching from the No. 33 he used for his entire F1 career up to that point. Three has always been his favourite number, but it belonged to Daniel Ricciardo from the start of Verstappen's career, so 33 (two threes) was the closest available option until now.
Why did Max Verstappen give up No. 33?
Verstappen switched by choice, not by rule. Daniel Ricciardo retired from F1 after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, and a driver's number typically stays out of circulation for a period after they stop competing. Ricciardo personally gave Verstappen permission to use No. 3 early, and Verstappen has said he always preferred a single digit to a doubled-up number.
Is Max Verstappen still racing for Red Bull in 2026?
Yes. Verstappen remains with Red Bull Racing for 2026, and Castore continues as the team's official apparel supplier, alongside a New Era capsule collection for the new season.
Why isn't Verstappen racing with No. 1 in 2026?
Only the reigning world champion can choose to race with No. 1 instead of their career number. Verstappen lost the 2025 title fight to Lando Norris, so for 2026 the No. 1 option passes to Norris and Verstappen has switched to No. 3 instead.
Should I buy Verstappen merchandise with No. 33 or No. 3?
For current 2026-season gear, look for No. 3. No. 33 product is now a career-era piece rather than current-season merchandise — still legitimate for collectors who want his title-winning years specifically, but not what a current listing should show if it's marketed as 2026 stock.
The Bottom Line
Verstappen's switch from No. 33 to No. 3 is the biggest personal-branding change of his career, and it splits his merchandise cleanly into title-era collector product and current 2026 gear. Know which one you're after, then browse current Verstappen Red Bull-style gear on Amazon or dig into our category guides for the best F1 hats, best F1 jerseys and best F1 trading cards to fill out a Red Bull collection. Fan of another driver's gear? See our Lewis Hamilton merchandise guide, Lando Norris merchandise guide and Charles Leclerc merchandise guide too.
Want the full category guides? See F1 hats and F1 jerseys next.