After four seasons carrying the number 1 as reigning world champion, Max Verstappen has confirmed he will switch to car 3 for the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. In an interview with Viaplay, he explained that three has always been his favourite number after one and that he simply prefers a single three to the double three he used earlier in his career.

Before his title run began, Verstappen raced as number 33 from his debut with Toro Rosso in 2015 through his early Red Bull years, branding himself as “Super Max 33” in the process. He said that 33 once symbolised “double luck” for him but that he feels he has already enjoyed his share of good fortune in Formula 1 and is ready for a cleaner, stripped back number.

Norris Takes No 1, Rules Allow More Flexibility

Verstappen’s change comes after Norris claimed his maiden world title in 2025 and opted to exercise the champion’s right to run number 1 next season. The McLaren driver told Sky Sports F1 that he had always planned to follow recent champions and put the sport’s most prestigious number on his car once he finally lifted the trophy.

Under the current regulations, drivers traditionally keep a permanent number for their careers but the title holder can temporarily replace it with No 1. A recent tweak to the rules has gone further, now giving drivers the option to request a new permanent number entirely, which opened the door for Verstappen to leave 33 behind and register 3 instead.

Ricciardo’s Blessing And The Battle To Rebound

The number 3 has strong associations in modern F1 with Daniel Ricciardo, Verstappen’s former team mate at Red Bull. A statement on Verstappen’s official website confirmed that Ricciardo, currently out of a full time race seat, gave his approval for the switch, clearing any awkwardness over two fan favorites sharing the same iconic number.

Verstappen heads into 2026 bidding to reclaim the world title after losing the 2025 championship to Norris by just two points at the end of a dramatic season. With sweeping technical changes coming for 2026 and Red Bull determined to answer McLaren’s challenge, the sight of car number 3 on the grid will symbolise both a reset and a renewed pursuit of dominance for one of the era’s defining drivers.