In the world of Formula 1, race numbers are often as personal as a fingerprint, but for Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, the "Number 3" has become a symbol of a lasting friendship.
As the 2026 season kicks off, the iconic digit has officially moved from the "Honey Badger" to the "Lion” and Ricciardo couldn't be happier about the hand-off.
The swap was born out of a casual meeting between the two former Red Bull teammates in Austin last year. Verstappen, who is relinquishing his #1 to 2025 World Champion Lando Norris, was eager to take up his favorite single digit rather than reverting to his old #33.
Passing On a Number – And a Piece Of History
Speaking to GQ Sports, Ricciardo recounted the moment the torch was passed during a catch-up in Austin.
According to the Australian, there was zero hesitation in letting his old friend skip the usual two-year waiting period for retired numbers.
“When I caught up with Max in Austin and when he mentioned he wanted to take number three, of course I was very, very happy to say yes, because otherwise I think he would have had to wait one more year,” he explained.
“So, yeah, it’s a pleasure for me to pass that number on to him now.”
©RedBull
The move has resonated deeply with the F1 community, serving as a nostalgic nod to the pair’s explosive and entertaining years together at Red Bull.
“It’s quite cool. You know, it’s a cool story for us and also fans of F1, you know who supported Max and I when we were teammates,” he added.
Finding a New Pace After F1
While his number remains on the grid, Ricciardo himself has traded the cockpit for a more relaxed lifestyle.
Since retiring after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, the eight-time race winner has been leaning into his role as a global ambassador for Ford, finding fulfillment away from the stopwatch.
“It took me a little while to adjust from retirement, but now I’m finding, let’s say, my pace and my happiness,” he said.
“And with Ford and being the ambassador for them, it’s a way to still stay in racing, in motorsport, in the automotive world. But without the pressure that I put on myself for many years. So that’s a nice balance that I’m very happy with.”
©RedBull
The extra free time has also allowed for a bit of personal experimentation—and some rugged off-road fun.
“Life has changed a lot, but, it’s been good. I’ve had a lot of time to myself, time to grow a beard. I shaved a few days ago so I had a real beard!” he joked.
“Yeah, doing things that I didn’t really get a chance to do when I was racing and travelling so much. And that’s a lot of time, family and friends. So I enjoyed it a lot, getting to put a lot of miles on my Raptor.”
Even as he enjoys the present, Ricciardo still looks back fondly on his peak years in the sport, specifically citing the 2016 Red Bull – a season defined by his Malaysia win—as his absolute favorite machinery.
“I loved that car,” he said.
With Verstappen now carrying the #3 on his Red Bull RB22, the Ricciardo legacy remains very much alive in the pit lane.
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