The highly predictable, yet always dramatic, changing of the guard in Formula 1 has officially necessitated a numerical change for four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, the Red Bull driver confirmed that he will step away from the coveted ‘Number 1’ and adopt a new permanent fixture on his car: the Number 3.
This decision is a direct consequence of Lando Norris securing his maiden Drivers` Championship title, thereby inheriting the regulatory right to display the Number 1—a privilege rarely utilized, but religiously upheld by recent champions, including Verstappen himself over his dominant four-year tenure.
The Psychological Weight of the Number One
For four consecutive seasons, Max Verstappen’s machine bore the single digit, a clear, unambiguous statement of supremacy. The Number 1 is not merely a design feature; it is an annual proclamation of dominance. It is the single visible trophy a reigning champion carries onto the grid.
The transition away from this symbol, while customary in Formula 1 when a champion is dethroned, holds significant weight. Verstappen’s era of mandatory numerical hierarchy has concluded, ushered out by the competitive success of his rival, Lando Norris, who has confirmed he will utilize the Number 1 for 2026.
The F1 regulations grant the reigning Drivers` Champion the exclusive right to replace their chosen permanent number with the Number 1. While optional, its usage often signifies a champion’s intent to cement their legacy, or perhaps, simply enjoy the perk of administrative victory.
The Unexpected Shift from 33 to 3
Prior to his championship streak, Verstappen was synonymous with the number 33. This digit became a brand, representing his aggressive youth and meteoric rise through the ranks from Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing. Logic dictated that if the Number 1 was forfeited, Verstappen would simply revert to his established brand identity.
However, the announcement confirms a pivot. For the 2026 season, it will be the Number 3 adorning the Red Bull chassis. This choice suggests a calculated break from the past. Why forgo the well-established `33`?
The Number 3 was famously utilized by Daniel Ricciardo, Verstappen`s former teammate. While F1 rules typically reserve a driver`s permanent number for two seasons following their last participation, Verstappen’s adoption of the number suggests one of two scenarios: either the number has been voluntarily released by Ricciardo, or—more likely considering the fluidity of the grid—the regulatory reservation period had concluded for Ricciardo’s active status in the championship by the time 2026 assignments were finalized.
In a technical sense, the shift to ‘3’ is a simplification—a reduction of complexity. Perhaps, in the highly regulated environment of modern F1, Verstappen views it as shedding unnecessary baggage. It is a new start, marked by a cleaner, single-digit declaration. It is the numerical equivalent of wiping the slate clean for a fresh championship fight.
A Rule Amendment Facilitates the Reset
The current F1 numbering system, introduced in 2014, mandates that drivers select a permanent number for their careers (excluding the optional use of Number 1). Traditionally, once chosen, this number was fixed. The original article notes a recent amendment to these regulations, enabling switches even of permanent numbers—an interesting bureaucratic shift that perhaps caters to the long-term career arcs of established drivers.
For Verstappen, this rule change provided the flexibility to move beyond 33. While the drama centers on the loss of Number 1, the intriguing subtext is the deliberate avoidance of his old number. He is not merely reclaiming history; he is writing a new chapter.
The Stage is Set for 2026
The 2026 season is already framed by a new set of technical regulations and, symbolically, a new champion. Verstappen, now running as the challenger with Number 3, finds himself in a position he hasn`t occupied in half a decade—hunting, rather than defending, the ultimate title.
While a car number is fundamentally irrelevant to lap time, in the theater of Formula 1, it dictates identity and status. Lando Norris embraces the legacy of the Number 1, a sign of his ascension. Max Verstappen, with Number 3, carries the subtle suggestion that while he may have been knocked off the top step, he has merely taken a step back to recalibrate. The message is clear: the champion is gone, but the threat remains, now visually consolidated in the sleek simplicity of a single digit.
