Verstappen Eyes Hamilton's Old Number 3 for 2026 F1 Season

Max Verstappen could adopt the iconic starting number 3 for the 2026 Formula 1 season, a digit previously carried by legends like Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. This potential switch follows a rule change that may finally allow the reigning champion to secure his preferred number, which was unavailable when he entered the sport.

Why it matters:

A driver's number becomes a core part of their identity in modern F1, and Verstappen's potential move to number 3 would connect him to a significant piece of the sport's history. For a champion of his stature, choosing a number with such a prestigious lineage—rather than the default champion's number 1—signals a personal legacy choice and highlights the evolving importance of permanent numbers in driver branding.

The details:

• The number 3 has a storied history in Formula 1, long before the era of permanent driver numbers began in 2014.
• It was most famously used by Michael Schumacher for four seasons during the system where numbers were assigned based on the previous year's constructors' championship standings.
• Lewis Hamilton raced with number 3 in 2011 as Jenson Button's teammate at McLaren, while Fernando Alonso used it in 2013.
• Daniel Ricciardo claimed the number when the permanent system was introduced, using it for virtually his entire career as a tribute to NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, which locked it out for other drivers.

The big picture:

Verstappen's long-stated desire for number 3 was initially thwarted by Ricciardo's prior claim. The Dutch driver had to settle for number 33 upon his F1 debut in 2015. The reported rule change for 2026, which may free up numbers from drivers who have been inactive for a set period, opens the door for this symbolic switch. It underscores how the fixed-number system has created new narratives and personal stakes around these identifiers.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the official F1 entry list for the 2026 season to see if Verstappen formally secures number 3. If he does, it will mark the return of a historic number to the front of the grid and add another layer to Verstappen's growing legacy, consciously aligning his visual identity with some of the sport's greats.