Verstappen could join Schumacher as champion with number 3

Max Verstappen's potential switch to the number 3 for the 2026 season could see him join a select group of champions, including Michael Schumacher, who have won a title with that specific number on their car. Currently, only three drivers in Formula 1 history have achieved this feat, a number Verstappen could match or surpass if he continues his dominant run with a new digit.

Why it matters:

A driver's number is a core part of their identity in modern F1. For Verstappen, adopting the number 3 would be a symbolic move, linking his legacy to one of the sport's most successful numbers and its most iconic recent champion, Michael Schumacher. It represents a potential new chapter where he chases history under a different banner.

The details:

• Only three drivers have won the F1 World Championship with the number 3 on their car: Graham Hill (1962), Jacques Villeneuve (1997), and Michael Schumacher (2000).
• Verstappen's current career win tally of 71 already surpasses the combined total of all drivers who have raced with the number 3.
• In the modern era, the number has been less kind to champions. Since Schumacher's 2000 title, drivers like Mika Häkkinen, Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Lewis Hamilton all used the number 3 in seasons where they finished no higher than fifth in the standings.
• Fernando Alonso came closest, finishing second in the 2013 championship with the number 3, while Schumacher himself finished ninth upon his return with the number in 2010.
• The number became permanently assigned to a driver starting in 2014 when Daniel Ricciardo chose it, moving away from the previous system where numbers were allocated based on the previous season's constructors' championship order.

The big picture:

Verstappen's dominance with Red Bull has already cemented his place among the greats. A potential number change is more than aesthetic; it's a narrative device. Choosing the number 3 would create a direct historical parallel with Schumacher's era of success at Ferrari, inviting comparisons as Verstappen builds his own legacy. While statistics show the number hasn't guaranteed success for every champion who used it, Verstappen's current form suggests he could redefine its modern reputation.