Max Verstappen will race with the #3 from next year, leaving behind his historic #33. This change marks a notable moment in Formula 1 history, as Verstappen becomes the first driver to switch numbers since the introduction of personal numbers in 2014, excluding the temporary use of #1 after winning a World Championship.
Max’s choice
The decision to switch to #3 comes after Verstappen was unable to use it in the early stage of his career because it was already taken by Daniel Ricciardo. While the original rule meant a driver would keep their chosen number until retirement, the FIA has now allowed more flexibility, opening the door for such changes.
The historic legacy of #3
Beyond Ricciardo’s eight wins between 2014 and 2021, the #3 has a long and storied history in F1. Its first appearance was at the inaugural Formula 1 race at Silverstone in 1950, worn by Luigi Fagioli in his Alfa Romeo, finishing second behind teammate Giuseppe Farina. In the early years, numbers changed each race and were assigned by the organizers. The first F1 victory for a #3 car came in 1961, when German driver Wolfgang von Trips won the Belgian GP in a Ferrari 156.
From Tyrrell symbol to Schumacher triumph
The introduction of fixed team numbers in 1974 brought stability. The reigning World Champion’s team took #1, their teammate #2, and other teams kept consistent numbers. The #3, alongside #4, became the Tyrrell team’s iconic number, used continuously from 1974 to 1995. During this period, #3 earned six wins: four with Jody Scheckter and two with Italian driver Michele Alboreto.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, #3 was worn by two World Champions. Jacques Villeneuve drove it to the 1997 title with Williams, still the last non-European driver to win a championship, while Michael Schumacher used it to claim his historic 2000 title, returning Ferrari to the top after 21 years. Other notable drivers include Fernando Alonso, who scored his last F1 victory in 2013 at the Spanish GP with Ferrari.
After the Daniel Ricciardo era, the #3 now passes to Max Verstappen in 2026, carrying forward the rich legacy and history that this number represents in Formula 1.
Fans will see #3 back in action during pre-season testing, a subtle but symbolic shift for one of the grid’s biggest names. With its ties to champions like Scheckter, Villeneuve, and Schumacher, Verstappen’s choice feels fitting for a driver chasing more records. The legacy of #3 continues evolving in Formula 1’s ever-changing landscape.
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