After his four-year championship streak was snapped in 2025, Max Verstappen is making a change for the upcoming F1 season.
Verstappen and Red Bull Racing announced on Thursday that he is going to use car No. 3 in 2026.
Speaking to Viaplay about the number change (h/t Formula1.com), Verstappen explained he just preferred the three to his old No. 33 car.
“It won’t be number 33. My favorite number has always been 3, apart from number 1,” said Verstappen. “We can now swap, so it’ll be number 3. Number 33 was always fine, but I just like one 3 better than two. I always said it represented double luck, but I’ve already had my luck in Formula 1.”
When he originally debuted in F1 in 2015, Verstappen drove the No. 33 car and used it for seven seasons. He won his first title with it in 2021 and, as is tradition, got to use the No. 1.
Verstappen maintained his status as the best driver on the circuit for three more years, becoming one of five drivers in F1 history to win at least four consecutive individual championships.
The 2025 season saw Verstappen finish second in the overall standings to Lando Norris by two points (423 to 421). Verstappen led the circuit with eight wins, but he missed the podium in six of 24 total races.
Norris made the podium in 18 of 24 events, including seven wins. He secured the points championship with a third-place finish in Abu Dhabi in the final race of the season on Dec. 7.
As the newly-crowned champion entering 2026, Norris will be bestowed the No. 1 car for McLaren.
Verstappen will look to take back his crown next year. The 2026 F1 season begins on March 8 with the Australian Grand Prix.