Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Ricciardo shares backstory behind number 3 handover to Verstappen

20:31, 25 Jan

byTobia Elia

Daniel Ricciardo revealed that he had no issue at all with allowing Max Verstappen to take over his former race number from next season.

“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”

- Daniel Ricciardo

Having lost his status as reigning world champion to Lando Norris, the Dutchman will no longer be able to run the number 1 on his helmet and car in 2026, opting instead to return to the Australian driver’s former race number.

Speaking to GQ Sports, Ricciardo admitted he had no issue with it at all, adding that he is actually pleased to see the tradition carried on: “I got to see Max recently. The number three thing it’s quite cool. It’s a cool story for us and also fans of F1, you know, who supported Max and I when we were teammates.”

He then added: “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. So, it’s a pleasure for me to pass that number on to him now.”

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen delivers hilarious counter-proposal to Ricciardo's request

Red Bull and Ford have released a new video featuring the four-time world champion alongside Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad, with the pair taking turns driving a variety of Ford models, from classic cars to modern machinery.

Daniel Ricciardo was on hand to supervise the challenge, continuing his role as an ambassador for the Detroit-based brand, a position he has held since last year.

The light-hearted tone carried over behind the scenes, where a social media clip showed Ricciardo inviting Verstappen back to his hotel room to watch a film, only for the Dutchman to jokingly suggest they should “make The Hangover 4.”

Read the full story here.

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