F1 Today | Massa's court case could go to trial, Verstappen wants '3'

20:30, 20 Nov

byShayni Solanki

Felipe Massa's case can go to trial, and Max Verstappen on potentially racing with a different number next year: recap the best stories from Las Vegas with GPblog!

Max Verstappen during Thursday press conference at the Las Vegas Grand Prix - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen confirms he wants to race with a different number in 2026

In Las Vegas, Verstappen explained he was looking into the possibility of having the number '3' on his car next year. “I do indeed need to get approval, so it’s a good question which number I’ll be using next year.

"My favourite number is 3, but I still have to wait and see if that’s actually possible and permitted. I’ll see over the winter. In the end, it doesn’t matter that much to me,” Verstappen said, according to De Telegraaf.

The current rules state that a driver's previous number can only be adopted once they have departed the series for at least two years, which Ricciardo will be shy of by around six months when the 2026 season commences.

GPblog has learned that a rule about drivers switching numbers is not yet set in stone, and that the two-year wait can be waived. Only then would Verstappen be able to change to #3 in '26.

Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton during the 2008 season. Photo: Race Pictures

Massa’s court claim can go to trial — What it means for Hamilton’s title

Felipe Massa's 2008 title dispute can go to trial, a High Court judge has ruled.

The 'future litigation' part of the summary of the judge's decision states: "The judge warned that any future litigation would not necessarily be “plain sailing”. Mr Massa would need to overcome various obstacles on causation.

"If successful, Mr Massa could in principle recover damages for lost career opportunities, but the court cannot be asked to rewrite the outcome of the 2008 Drivers’ World Championship."

The FIA has since reacted to Mr Justice Jay's decision. The motorsport federation declared they have 'succeeded' after three of Massa's claims have been dismissed.

Carlos Sainz - Photo: Race Pictures

Sainz is 'just sipping his tea' after Ferrari executive's harsh criticism

Former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz prefers not to get involved in reacting to executive John Elkann's verdict on Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Ex-Ferrari driver Sainz was asked by Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz about the situation and whether he could be more open with his criticism at Williams.

The Spaniard said: "How do you say... That, Ted, is none of my business. You know the frog that has the tea? That is none of my business."

He then added: "You know the meme I'm talking about, that frog with a tea. That's literally me right now."

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