Verstappen to switch to race number 3 in 2026, explains decision
Max Verstappen has confirmed he will race with the number 3 starting in 2026, abandoning the champion's number 1. He revealed number 3 has always been his favorite and secured permission from its previous holder, Daniel Ricciardo, to use it.
Max Verstappen will trade the champion's number 1 for a single digit in 2026, confirming he will race with the number 3. The four-time world champion explained his choice, marking a definitive shift from the number 33 he used for the first decade of his career.
Why it matters:
A driver's race number is a core part of their identity in modern Formula 1. Verstappen's move from the prestigious number 1, which he has carried for four consecutive championship-winning seasons, back to a permanent number signals a new chapter. His choice of number 3, after securing permission from its previous holder, also closes a loop from his debut season.
The details:
- Verstappen confirmed the switch in an interview, stating his favorite number has always been 3, second only to the number 1 reserved for the reigning champion.
- He explained his reasoning for not returning to 33, his original number from 2015-2021, with a simple aesthetic preference: "33 was always fine, but I think one three looks better than two threes."
- The number 3 was not available when he entered F1 in 2015, as it was being used by his then-teammate Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull. Verstappen chose 33 as a way to still incorporate his preferred digit.
- Under FIA regulations, a driver's number is protected for two full seasons after they leave the sport. Verstappen required Ricciardo's permission to use the number 3 before the official waiting period ended in 2027, which has now been granted.
- In a lighthearted moment, Verstappen also joked about considering the number 69 for 2026, a comment that reportedly draws bemused looks from his partner, Kelly Piquet.
What's next:
Verstappen will complete the 2025 season carrying the number 1. The switch to number 3 will officially take effect at the start of the 2026 season, coinciding with a major technical regulation change. This new number will likely become synonymous with the next phase of his career as he aims for further success under the new rules.