Verstappen's new number in 2026: this is why 3 is his favourite

After Verstappen missed out on the 2025 drivers' title by just two points at the Abu Dhabi GP following a stunning comeback, the Dutchman will part ways with the number 1 on his car. Lando Norris is set to use that this year.

However, Verstappen will not return to using 33 either. Taking over from his ex-teammate Daniel Ricciardo, the Red Bull Racing driver will compete with the number 3 in 2026.

In a video shared by his team, Verstappen previously explained why 3 would have been his first choice when he entered Formula 1 in 2015.

The four-time world champion said: "I couldn't pick it of course back in the day, so I just went for double luck. It's the shape of the number that I liked when I was a kid, #3."

According to Jacques Villeneuve, the Dutchman would be capable of breaking Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton's record of seven F1 world titles if he were to aim for it..

The Canadian said: "He has the talent, so give him a chance, and he will snag it. Yes."

In the past, fittingly, three drivers won the title running the number 3 on their car. Graham Hill in 1962, Villeneuve in 1997, and Schumacher in 2000.

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