Wolff Gets First Look at 2026 Mercedes as Verstappen Confirms Number Change

Toto Wolff has previewed Mercedes' 2026 challenger in the simulator, predicting a 'fascinating' season ahead, while Max Verstappen has confirmed he will relinquish the number '1' and return to using '3' on his Red Bull. These developments come as the grid prepares for the sweeping technical changes set for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents the biggest technical reset in Formula 1 since 2014, with new engine and chassis regulations poised to potentially reshuffle the competitive order. Mercedes' historical dominance following the last major rule change adds significant weight to Wolff's early observations. Simultaneously, Verstappen's number switch is a symbolic confirmation of the new championship landscape following Lando Norris's title win, marking the end of an era.

The Details:

• Mercedes' 2026 Preview: Team Principal Toto Wolff revealed on social media that he recently watched the simulated version of the team's 2026 car in action. His description of the upcoming season as "fascinating" hints at the radical nature of the new designs. Mercedes famously capitalized on the last major regulation shift in 2014 to begin an eight-year streak of constructors' titles.
• Verstappen's Number Change: With his reign as defending champion ended by Lando Norris, Max Verstappen will no longer use the number '1' in 2026. He has opted to adopt the number '3', moving away from his original '33'. This number was last used in F1 by his former Red Bull teammate, Daniel Ricciardo.
• Other News Round-Up: Newly crowned champion Lando Norris has been offered a MotoGP test by Red Bull KTM Tech3 CEO Guenther Steiner. Meanwhile, analyst Karun Chandhok suggested Lewis Hamilton's adaptation at Ferrari is being hampered by building a new working relationship with race engineer Riccardo Adami, following his "gold standard" partnership with Peter Bonnington at Mercedes. In a lighter note, Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli received two penalties for "pushing too hard" during a surprise karting appearance under a pseudonym.

What's next:

All eyes will be on how teams develop their 2026 concepts, with Mercedes' early confidence being a key narrative. The driver market and personal adjustments, like Hamilton's at Ferrari and Verstappen's symbolic change, will continue to evolve off-track. The offer to Norris also highlights the growing crossover interest between F1 champions and other top motorsport categories.