Three F1 Drivers Set for New Race Numbers in 2026 as Russell Enjoys Off-Season
Max Verstappen will switch to race number three in 2026 after Lando Norris, as the new champion, takes the number one. New Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad will also get a fresh number, while George Russell enjoys a skiing break after leading Mercedes to second in the constructors' standings.
Max Verstappen will not carry the number one on his car in 2026, switching to number three after losing the world championship to Lando Norris by two points. Norris will adopt the coveted number one as he defends his title with McLaren, while new Racing Bulls recruit Arvid Lindblad will also debut with a fresh number. Meanwhile, Mercedes team leader George Russell has begun his off-season with a skiing trip alongside his partner, Carmen Montero Mundt.
Why it matters:
The change in driver numbers is a direct visual consequence of the dramatic 2025 championship battle, symbolizing the shift in competitive power. For drivers, their permanent number becomes a key part of their brand identity, making any change significant. Russell's post-season activities highlight the brief window drivers have to recharge before intense preparations for the new regulations in 2026 begin.
The details:
- Number Changes: A rule tweak allows drivers to change their race number, which Verstappen is utilizing to revert to his familiar number three after ceding the champion's number one to Norris.
- Newcomer on the Grid: Arvid Lindblad, the 2025 Formula 2 graduate, will join Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, marking another step in the Red Bull junior program's pipeline to F1.
- Russell's Season & Break: In his first year as Mercedes' de facto team leader post-Hamilton, Russell secured two victories and consistently scored points, leading the team to P2 in the constructors' standings. His skiing holiday, shared on social media, comes after celebrating five years with his partner earlier in 2025.
What's next:
The focus now shifts completely to 2026, with teams deep into developing cars for the sweeping new technical and power unit regulations. For Norris, the challenge is defending a title; for Verstappen, it's reclaiming it. Russell will aim to build on his leadership role at Mercedes, while all eyes will be on how rookies like Lindblad adapt to the pinnacle of motorsport.