The driver number lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season has been finalized, featuring a few notable changes, including
After using #1 since his 2022 championship, Verstappen lost the right to the number when Lando Norris won the title.
Norris will now use #1 for his 2026 title defense. Although #4 is frozen for the year, Verstappen won't be switching
back to #33, which he used from 2015-2021.
Instead, Verstappen will take advantage of a new rule for 2026 that allows drivers to change their permanent numbers.
He's chosen #3, previously associated with Daniel Ricciardo. Verstappen's choice is the only driver number switch on the
grid. The only rookie joining the field in 2026, Arvid Lindblad of Racing Bulls, will use #41.
**Verstappen's Number Change**
While Verstappen can no longer use #1, he isn't returning to his old #33. He has always liked #3, but Daniel Ricciardo
had it from 2014 until his retirement, preventing Verstappen from using it until now. With Ricciardo's departure and the
new rule change, Verstappen is seizing the opportunity to use #3 from 2026 onward.
**Hamilton Sticking with #44**
Lewis Hamilton has remained loyal to #44 since 2014, a number that goes back to his karting days. Even during his
championship reigns from 2015-2016 and 2018-2021, he chose to keep #44 instead of switching to #1 (though he did use #1
in an FP1 session in Abu Dhabi in 2018). Hamilton will continue to use #44 for his second year with Ferrari and his 20th