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.”
Read also: Hadjar says predictable RB22 'easier to play around with'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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