In a tangible sign of the shifting competitive landscape within Formula 1, Max Verstappen has formally confirmed his new racing identifier for the 2026 season: the number **3**. This transition marks the end of a dominant four-year tenure where Verstappen proudly displayed the prestigious No. 1 on his Red Bull machine, a privilege now transferred to the reigning Drivers’ Champion, Lando Norris.
The choice of number is rarely arbitrary in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, and Verstappen’s selection of the single digit `3` carries both sentimental value and practical implications for his next title challenge.
The Legacy and Loss of the Apex Identifier
Since 2014, when the FIA mandated permanent numbers for drivers, the No. 1 plate became a unique, voluntary symbol reserved exclusively for the reigning World Champion. By opting to use the No. 1 following his first title victory, Verstappen embraced the inherent weight and expectation associated with carrying the sport’s most valuable digit. For four consecutive seasons, No. 1 represented the unquestioned peak of modern Formula 1 achievement.
However, with Lando Norris securing his maiden title and subsequently confirming his intention to assume the No. 1, Verstappen was necessitated to select a new permanent number. The sight of a former champion reverting to a double-digit—or in this case, a new single digit—serves as an immediate, visual indicator that the torch has passed, at least momentarily.
While the No. 1 is seen as an honor, carrying it also places an unmistakable target on the back of the car. Perhaps, in a season defined by major regulatory changes set for 2026, dropping that explicit marker of supremacy offers a psychological reset. The technical challenge presented by new engine regulations demands focus, not the maintenance of a symbolic status.
From 33 to 3: A Calculated Choice
Before achieving championship status, Verstappen was universally identified by the number 33—a number he raced with throughout his formative years at Toro Rosso and the initial phase of his Red Bull career (2015-2021). The choice of `3` is a clear homage to his previous identity. It is, mathematically speaking, a simplified, streamlined version of his original selection.
The F1 regulation set previously locked drivers into their chosen number permanently, champion status notwithstanding. A recent administrative amendment, however, now permits a driver who has relinquished the No. 1 plate to select a new permanent number for the remainder of their career, provided that number is not already in use by another competitor.
Verstappen’s decision to move to the lower, more distinct digit of 3, rather than simply reverting to 33, suggests an intentional separation from his previous pre-championship narrative. The number 3 has historic resonance in racing and, notably, was previously used by Daniel Ricciardo—a former teammate of Verstappen’s. With Ricciardo`s potential departure from the grid or change in status, the number became available, presenting a golden opportunity for Verstappen to choose a number that resonates both personally and powerfully.
2026: The Reset Button Pushed
The 2026 season is anticipated to be an inflection point in Formula 1 due to significant shifts in engine architecture and aerodynamic philosophies. For Verstappen and Red Bull, this number change is perfectly timed. It symbolizes not a demotion, but a strategic reboot. Stripped of the No. 1 plate, Verstappen approaches the next era of technical competition not as the figure defending the current paradigm, but as an aggressive challenger operating under a new numerical identity.
Lando Norris, now inheriting the No. 1, takes on the traditional burden of the defending champion, while Verstappen adopts the comparatively understated (yet highly symbolic) `3`. This numerical swap ensures that 2026 will visually commence a new chapter in the sport, defined by new rules, a new champion carrying the premier number, and a former champion embracing a streamlined identity for his renewed pursuit of glory.
