F1: Max Verstappen Will Use The Number 3 in 2026, But He Needs Ricciardo's Permission!

In Formula 1, driver numbers often symbolize the start and end of eras. For Max Verstappen, that shift will become official in the 2026 season. Having raced with the iconic #1 since 2022 as the reigning world champion, the Dutch driver will no longer be entitled to use it after Lando Norris clinched the 2025 title. Instead of returning to an old favorite, Verstappen has chosen to mark a fresh chapter in his career.

According to Viaplay, Verstappen decided not to go back to #33, the number he used from 2015 until the end of the 2021 season. Rather than revisiting the past, he opted for a new identity and selected #3 for 2026. This move has been made possible by a recent FIA regulation change that allows drivers to alter their permanent race numbers during their careers.

Speaking to Viaplay, Verstappen explained the personal reasoning behind his decision. “It won’t be 33. Apart from 1, my favorite number has always been 3,” he said, underlining that the updated rules finally gave him the flexibility to make that choice. “Now we can change numbers, so it will be #3.”

The four-time world champion also added a touch of humor to his explanation. “33 was always good, but I prefer one 3 instead of two. I could say it represents ‘double happiness,’ but I’ve already used up quite a lot of luck in F1,” Verstappen remarked, suggesting the decision carries symbolic meaning as well as personal preference.

The #3 carries particular significance for Red Bull Racing too. It was famously used by Daniel Ricciardo throughout his entire Formula 1 career until his retirement in 2024. Under FIA rules, if a race number has been used within the past two years, the previous holder’s permission is required. In Verstappen’s case, Ricciardo’s approval is expected, especially given their shared history at the team.

Ricciardo had raced with #3 since the introduction of permanent driver numbers in 2014 and continued to do so even when he partnered Verstappen at Red Bull between 2016 and 2018. Seen in this light, Verstappen’s switch to #3 is more than a simple numerical change—it represents both a new beginning and a subtle nod to Red Bull’s recent Formula 1 heritage.