{"id":442276,"date":"2026-01-28T05:50:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T05:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/442276\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T05:50:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T05:50:14","slug":"daniel-ricciardo-opens-up-on-passing-f1-number-to-max-verstappen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/442276\/","title":{"rendered":"Daniel Ricciardo opens up on passing F1 number to Max Verstappen"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Passing
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDaniel Ricciardo has opened up on giving his racing number to Max Verstappen for 2026. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n

Speaking to GQ Sports, the Australian explained how the choice came about during a recent catch-up with Verstappen in Austin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen 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,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, yeah, it\u2019s a pleasure for me to pass that number on to him now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ricciardo said the move was about more than just logistics, reflecting on the shared history with Verstappen during their Red Bull years and the significance of the number to fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s quite cool. You know, it\u2019s a cool story for us and also fans of F1, you know who supported Max and I when we were teammates,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The Australian, who retired from full-time racing following his final Formula 1 race at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, said he has embraced a slower pace of life since, focusing on family, friends, and his growing role as a global ambassador for Ford.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took me a little while to adjust from retirement, but now I\u2019m finding, let\u2019s say, my pace and my happiness,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd with Ford and being the ambassador for them, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s a nice balance that I\u2019m very happy with.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that he has enjoyed the freedoms of retirement, spending more time with family and friends and embracing his Ford partnership.<\/p>\n

\u201cLife has changed a lot, but, it\u2019s been good. I\u2019ve had a lot of time to myself, time to grow a beard. I shaved a few days ago so I had a real beard!\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, doing things that I didn\u2019t really get a chance to do when I was racing and travelling so much.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s a lot of time, family and friends. So I enjoyed it a lot, getting to put a lot of miles on my Raptor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ricciardo also reflected on his racing career, naming the 2016 Red Bull as his favourite car \u2014 a season that saw him win in Malaysia and finish on the podium seven other times.<\/p>\n

\u201cI loved that car,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Verstappen will race with the number three on his car in 2026, the first time since 2021 he hasn\u2019t had the number one on his car as the reigning world champion, an honour Lando Norris will carry this season.<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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