Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, 2025

Max Verstappen will become the first Formula 1 driver to change their ‘Competition Number’ since they were made permanent.

The FIA introduced permanent career numbers in 2014. Verstappen chose to race as number 33 when he made his F1 debut the following season.

Over the past four years Verstappen has exercised his right to race using the number one, which only the world champion may do. But while new world champion Lando Norris will take over that number next year, Verstappen will not revert to using 33.

“It won’t be number 33,” Verstappen told Viaplay. “My favourite number has always been three, apart from number one. We can now swap, so it’ll be number three.”

The FIA opened the door to drivers changing their competition numbers last month when the F1 Commission noted: “a proposal for drivers to change their numbers during their career would be permitted.”

Verstappen was unable to select number three when he made his F1 debut as it was already being used by Daniel Ricciardo, as a tribute to his hero, NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt. Ricciardo, who was Verstappen’s team mate from 2016 to 2018, left F1 last year.

Under F1’s rules, Ricciardo must formally relinquish his right to use the number next year in order for Verstappen to claim it. The regulations state: “An F1 driver permanently forfeits their competition number either by confirming this decision in writing to the FIA, or if they do not participate in a competition for two consecutive championships. Such competition number shall be available in respect of the next championship season.” Ricciardo does not have a place on the 2026 F1 grid.

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“Number 33 was always fine, but I just like one three better than two,” Verstappen added. “I always said it represented double luck, but I’ve already had my luck in Formula 1.”

No other driver has changed their competition number since they were made permanent in 2014. Prior to that, drivers received numbers based on their teams’ finishing positions in the previous year’s constructors’ championship.

Drivers may choose any number from 2 to 99 to use during their careers, except for number 17, which was retired in 2015 as a tribute to Jules Bianchi, who used it during the 2014 season. Bianchi suffered a serious crash at Suzuka and died as a result of his injuries the following year. Like Verstappen, Bianchi did not get his first choice of number, but his original three choices were all claimed by other drivers.

Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Baku City Circuit, 2018
Ricciardo raced as number three when he and Verstappen were team mates

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