Max Verstappen to switch to number 3 for 2026 F1 season

Max Verstappen will race with the number 3 on his car for the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking a permanent change from his iconic number 33 and the champion's number 1 he has used for the past four years.

Why it matters:

A driver's number is a key part of their identity in F1, and Verstappen's switch signals a new chapter after narrowly missing the 2025 title to Lando Norris. The move is made possible by a recent FIA rule change and reflects his personal preference, moving away from the number associated with his initial success to one he considers his true favorite.

The details:

• Verstappen confirmed he is ineligible to use the number 1 in 2026 as he is no longer the reigning champion, with Norris claiming the title and confirming he will use the number.
• From 2015 to 2021, Verstappen was synonymous with the number 33, which he chose at the start of his career.
• He will not revert to 33, opting instead for the single digit 3, which he says has always been his favorite number after number 1.
• A recent FIA regulation change now permits drivers to change their permanent racing number during their career, a rule that was previously forbidden.
• The number 3 was last used by Daniel Ricciardo in 2024 before his retirement, and Verstappen has obtained permission from the FIA to use it.

What's next:

Verstappen enters the 2026 season with a renewed focus, a new permanent number, and a new teammate in the promoted Isack Hadjar. The number 3 will now become a central part of his brand as he aims to reclaim the championship from Norris and Red Bull Racing seeks to return to the top of the constructors' standings.