Max Verstappen will race with number 3 on his Red Bull for the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking a symbolic shift after losing his world championship crown to Lando Norris. The four-time world champion has long favoured the single digit, but only now gains the opportunity to use it following recent regulatory changes and Daniel Ricciardo’s retirement from the sport.
The number Verstappen always wanted
The Dutch driver’s relationship with number 3 stretches back to his Formula 1 debut. When Verstappen entered the championship in 2015, his preferred digit was already claimed by Ricciardo, forcing the teenager to find an alternative. His solution was number 33, which he described at the time as offering “double the luck” compared to his first choice.
That approach appeared to work. Verstappen carried 33 through his early years at Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing, eventually capturing his maiden world title in 2021. From 2022 onwards, he exercised the champion’s privilege of racing with number 1, a tradition he maintained through four consecutive title-winning campaigns until his defeat to Norris in 2025.
“My favourite number has always been 3, apart from number 1,” Verstappen confirmed in an end-of-year interview. “Number 33 was always fine, but I just like one 3 better than two. I always said it represented double luck, but I’ve already had my luck in Formula 1.”
Regulatory shift enables the change
The switch would not have been possible under previous regulations. Drivers traditionally retained exclusive rights to their chosen numbers throughout their careers and for two years after retirement, meaning Ricciardo’s claim on number 3 would have extended into 2026 despite his departure from the grid in September 2024.
However, the F1 Commission has amended the rules to allow drivers to waive their number rights early. Ricciardo has granted Verstappen permission to use the digit, clearing the path for the change. The commission has also introduced broader flexibility, permitting active drivers to modify their race numbers rather than keeping them fixed throughout their careers.
This marks a departure from the rigid system established when permanent driver numbers were introduced in the 1970s. The new approach offers competitors more control over their racing identity, particularly in situations where preferred numbers become available through retirements or voluntary releases.
An unlikely number for champions
Despite its appeal to Verstappen, number 3 carries a surprisingly modest championship record in modern Formula 1. Since permanent race numbers became standard practice, only two drivers have won world titles whilst carrying the digit: Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 and Michael Schumacher in 2000.
The statistic suggests number 3 has been an uncommon choice among leading drivers, or that those who selected it rarely reached the championship summit. Verstappen’s decision to adopt it for 2026 provides an opportunity to reshape that legacy, particularly as he aims to reclaim the title from defending champion Norris.
The four-time champion’s 71 grand prix victories and established position within Red Bull Racing suggest he remains a formidable threat regardless of the digits on his car. Yet the switch carries personal significance, representing a return to the number he would have chosen as a rookie had circumstances permitted.
What this means going forward
Verstappen’s number change offers a subtle psychological reset heading into 2026. After four years of carrying the champion’s number 1, the transition to 3 acknowledges his 2025 defeat whilst reclaiming a personal preference that predates his Formula 1 arrival. The shift may prove inconsequential on track, but it reflects the Dutchman’s mindset as he prepares to challenge Norris and McLaren for the championship.
The broader regulatory amendment could trigger similar changes across the grid. Drivers who previously compromised on number selection due to unavailability may now negotiate with retired competitors to claim preferred digits. Whether this becomes a trend or remains an isolated adjustment for Verstappen will become clear when teams finalise their 2026 preparations ahead of pre-season testing.
