Daniel Ricciardo Reveals Max Verstappen’s Classy F1 Request

Daniel Ricciardo remained loved and relevant in Formula 1 despite his disappointing exit from the sport. The honey badger left VCARB (presently Racing Bulls) mid-way through the 2024 season amid failing results. However, Ricciardo still remains respected by many in the F1 community, with Max Verstappen still being on great terms with him. The 34-year-old reveals how Verstappen approached him to take the No.3 driver number following the former’s exit.

Daniel Ricciardo held the iconic No.3 in Formula 1 as it was not only his favorite number, but also to pay homage to the late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. The Aussie became synonymous with the number, and all eight of his victories in his career were with the same number. As such, after his exit, no other driver could use the same number for atleast two years, unless they had an agreement from the driver who held it recently, because of a recent change in the sporting rule regarding permanent numbers.

Max Verstappen was on great terms with Daniel Ricciardo throughout his career and was in contact with him even after the latter’s exit. As such, Ricciardo did not have to think twice while permitting Verstappen to use No.3 from the 2026 season onwards. The Aussie recalled that he met with the four-time champion recently and how the entire ‘number three’ story was very cool to him.

Further, Daniel Ricciardo pointed out that when he met up with Max Verstappen in Austin, Texas, he found out about the whole No.3 demand from the latter. Ricciardo declared that he was more than happy to allow his former teammate to take the number and honor it in Formula 1. The Honey Badger did not want Verstappen to wait an extra year just to use the number, and hence allowed him to take it early.

I got to see Max recently, and with the number three thing, it is quite cool and a cool story for us, Also, for the fans of F1 who supported Max and I when we were team-mates. So when I caught up with Max in Austin [in 2025], he mentioned that he wanted to take the number three. Of course, I was very, very happy to say yes because otherwise he would have had to wait one more year, so it is a pleasure for me to pass that number on to him.

Daniel Ricciardo said, as reported by RacingNews365.

Max Verstappen reveals backstory behind wanting Daniel Ricciardo’s No.3

Since his Formula 1 debut, Max Verstappen has donned the No.33 on his car and achieved a lot of success with it. Since the 2022 season, Verstappen used #1 because of his consecutive championship wins. However, the Dutchman had always loved the No.3 and hence wanted it on his car, but couldn’t because of Daniel Ricciardo having dibs on it.

But now, Max Verstappen can finally have the No.3 and reveals the backstory behind wanting it for so long. Verstappen revealed that number three had always been his favorite apart from No.1. Though #33 was good enough, he still wanted the third number because of personal preferences. Still, the 28-year-old joked that the double No.3 gave him luck in Formula 1, which he didn’t need anymore since he had his fair share of luck.

It won’t be number 33. My favourite number has always been three, apart from number one. We can now swap, so it’ll be number 3. Number 33 was always fine, but I just like one 3 better than two. I always said it represented double luck, but I’ve already had my luck in Formula 1.

Max Verstappen said via Formula 1.

The beginning of the 2026 season is right around the corner, and Red Bull has already revealed their challenger for the coming season. Max Verstappen will certainly be hungrier for the championship win following the disappointing title loss in the previous year. For now, Verstappen will focus on the preparations for the new regulations and starting the season off with a bang.

Read More: Ralf Schumacher Claims Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff Would Never ‘Truly Click’

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