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Come in No. 3: Verstappen takes up Danny Ric's old number
Reuters • December 19th, 2025 6:00 am
Daniel Ricciardo's car always bore the No. 3 - but the number's now going to his old friend | Photo: Dave Acree/AAP
Max Verstappen will take his old Australian friend Daniel Ricciardo's former racing No. 3 next season now that Lando Norris has put No. 1 on his McLaren as Formula One world champion.
Red Bull's four-times world champion Verstappen raced with the 33 until his first title in 2021, the number also appearing on a multitude of caps and shirts - and even some fan tattoos.
"But my favourite number has always been three, apart from number one," the Dutch driver told Viaplay. "We can now swap, so it'll be number three.
"Number 33 was always fine, but I just like one three better than two. I always said it represented double luck but I've already had my luck in Formula One."
Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo became good pals when at Red Bull together | Photo: AP
Ricciardo was Verstappen's Red Bull teammate from 2016-18 but has now retired, with the governing FIA and driver having given permission for the number three to be used again.
Drivers previously had to stick with the same number through their careers and must not have raced for two consecutive seasons before it can be reassigned. Ricciardo last raced in Singapore in September last year.
Norris confirmed this month that he was swapping his No. 4 for the champion's No. 1.
