The legendary number three is set to return to Formula 1, but not with Daniel Ricciardo.

Instead, it will be long-time friend and former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen who will don the iconic digit after the championship number one moves to McLaren, with the new title holder, Lando Norris.

Reports indicate that Ricciardo was more than happy to hand over his trademark number to Verstappen.

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The number three in Formula 1 has a new home.

The number three in Formula 1 has a new home.  Getty

Typically, FIA regulations state that there will be a two-season waiting period before a retired driver’s number becomes available. But Ricciardo has reportedly stepped in to expedite the process.

Since his first championship in 2021, Verstappen has exercised his right to run the number one. In 2026, he’ll switch to a completely different number, which he has never run in his F1 career.

Verstappen admitted that number three was actually his favourite number and his original plan, but since Ricciardo already ran the three, he took 33 for his car.

“Not 33, no,” Verstappen said to ViaPlay when asked which race number he will use in 2026.

Daniel Riccardo drove with three for his F1 career.

Daniel Riccardo drove with three for his F1 career.  Getty

“My favourite number has actually been three, besides one,” he explained.

“We can now switch. It will be number three.

“Thirty-three was always fine, but I prefer a single three to two threes. I’ve always said it represented double happiness, but of course, I’ve already had my luck in F1.”

Now that Ricciardo is well and truly out of the sport, it was a matter of time before someone snatched up the number for themselves.

Ricciardo originally took the three as a tribute to NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.

“It has everything to do with Dale Earnhardt,” Ricciardo once said of his number in F1 and the NASCAR legend.

“I was always a big fan of his.”

Number three has been in the Red Bull family with Ricciardo during his F1 career.

Number three has been in the Red Bull family with Ricciardo during his F1 career.  Getty

The FIA has confirmed that because the Australian voluntarily relinquished his claim, Verstappen won’t have to wait the standard two years to take up the number.

In 2026, the number three will once again be emblazoned on the nose of a Red Bull. But this time, under the Dutch flag.