The landscape of Formula 1 undergoes continuous mechanical and regulatory evolution, yet few changes carry the symbolic weight of a champion relinquishing the number one status. Max Verstappen, the former dominant force of the Formula 1 grid, has formally confirmed his choice of car number for the 2026 season: he will revert to number 3.
This numerical transition is not merely administrative; it is a direct consequence of a significant power shift in the Drivers` Championship, following Lando Norris`s successful bid for the 2025 title. After four years of unchallenged tenure as World Champion, Verstappen must vacate the coveted No. 1 plate, which, as mandated by tradition and regulation, now rightfully belongs to the reigning title holder.
The Precedent of Dominance: Four Years as Number One
The utilization of the number 1 car plate is one of the sport`s most exclusive privileges, reserved solely for the preceding season`s champion. Verstappen had employed this number since 2022, a visual hallmark of his historic and dominant run with Red Bull Racing. During this period, the sight of the bold ‘1’ on the nose of his car became synonymous with victory, precision, and championship security.
When the modern system allowing drivers to select their permanent career number (between 2 and 99) was instituted, the acceptance of the No. 1 became an optional declaration of supremacy. Verstappen, unlike some former champions, consistently embraced the mantle, thereby underlining his stature as the benchmark against which all others were measured.
From `Supermax` 33 to the Humble 3
Before achieving his reign of dominance, Verstappen was prominently associated with the number 33, a number he raced with throughout his Toro Rosso and early Red Bull career, spanning from 2015 through 2021. The selection of the number 3 for 2026 represents a subtle but intentional departure from his earlier branding.
While 33 encapsulated the youthful intensity and rapid rise of “Supermax,” the single digit **3** is a concise and historically significant choice. It is a number stripped of excess, perhaps hinting at a focused, leaner approach to the 2026 season. It is, importantly, derived directly from his original selection, suggesting a return to foundational principles, albeit one forced by competitive realities.
It is worth noting the current Formula 1 regulations permit a driver to retain their chosen permanent number throughout their career, with the exception only being the reigning champion’s right to claim number 1. Curiously, a recent technical amendment now allows drivers to switch their reserved number, a freedom Verstappen has utilized by dropping the second ‘3’ from his original selection.
The New Challenger: Lando Norris Claims the Mandate
The necessity for Verstappen to select a new permanent number underscores the competitive success of Lando Norris. Having clinched his maiden Drivers’ Championship in 2025, the McLaren driver confirmed his intention to race with the No. 1 plate, embracing the champion’s mandate just as Verstappen had done years prior.
This dynamic—the champion reclaiming the symbol of supremacy—sets a compelling stage for the 2026 season. Verstappen will transition from the hunted to the hunter, chasing down the very recognition he held exclusively for half a decade. The sight of Verstappen’s Red Bull sporting the No. 3 while pursuing Norris’s No. 1 will serve as the most potent visual representation of the new competitive order.
The 2026 season, introducing significant new technical regulations, will already be defined by uncertainty. Max Verstappen’s adoption of the number 3 adds a layer of narrative intrigue: the champion who once held all the numbers now returns to the grid with a seemingly simpler digit, ready to prove that the performance is attached to the man, not merely the plate on the car.
