Following Lando Norris's title victory in the 2025 season, Max Verstappen has confirmed he will be making a change to his driver number for the 2026 season. After racing with car number 1 for the past four seasons as the reigning world champion, Verstappen is relinquishing the number as it is reserved for the reigning champion, Lando Norris. Norris has already confirmed he will use the number 1 in 2026.

Verstappen, who had previously raced with the number 33 from 2015 to 2021, will not be returning to his old number. Instead, he has revealed that he will be switching to number 3, which he has said is his favorite number. Verstappen told Viaplay, "It won't be number 33. My favorite number has always been 3, apart from number 1. Now we can switch. It will be number 3". He also stated that "33 was always fine, but I prefer a single 3 to two 3s. I've always said it represented double happiness, but of course, I've already had my luck in F1".

When Verstappen entered Formula 1 in 2015, he wanted to use the number 3, but it was already being used by Daniel Ricciardo. With Ricciardo's departure from the sport in 2024, the number became available. A recent rule change by the FIA allowed drivers to change their numbers during their F1 careers, which was previously not allowed. According to the regulations, a number only becomes available once a driver has been out of the sport for two full seasons. However, the FIA confirmed that a driver can claim a number earlier if the former holder voluntarily relinquishes it. Ricciardo has granted Verstappen permission to use the number 3 from 2026.

The switch to number 3 marks a new chapter for Verstappen, who finished the 2025 season just two points behind Lando Norris. He will also have a new teammate in 2026, Isack Hadjar.

Since 2014, Formula 1 drivers have been allowed to choose a permanent racing number for their entire career. The rule was introduced to help fans identify drivers and to enhance personal branding. Drivers can choose any number between 2 and 99, with the exception of number 1, which is reserved for the reigning World Champion, and number 17, which was permanently retired in honor of Jules Bianchi. The FIA can also deem numbers as inappropriate. Before 2014, numbers were assigned based on the constructor's championship positions. The reigning World Champion was assigned number 1, and their teammate took number 2.