Daniel Ricciardo raced with number 3 for virtually his entire Formula 1 career; a time when a driver was forever tied to a chosen number—unless he became world champion and was therefore allowed to carry #1.

Before Formula 1 introduced fixed starting numbers, the numbers were determined for a long time based on the outcome of the constructors’ championship from the previous season. As a result, for example, Michael Schumacher was assigned the number 3 for four seasons.

As Jenson Button’s teammate at McLaren, Hamilton raced with #3 in the 2011 season. Fernando Alonso also used this number for a season in Formula 1, in 2013.

Looking further back, the now-defunct Tyrrell team most often carried number 3. Ukyo Katayama therefore ranks third on the list of drivers with starting number 3 (behind Ricciardo and Schumacher). The Japanese driver had number 3 for a total of three seasons.

To improve driver recognition, Formula 1 decided to introduce fixed starting numbers from 2014 onward. Daniel Ricciardo chose this number as a tribute to NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.

Max Verstappen was therefore unlucky when he had to choose a race number for his debut 2015 Formula 1 season, as his favorite number 3 had already been taken. However, it appears that after a rule change Verstappen may still be able to get this number in 2026.

Helmut Marko, after his departure from Red Bull, claimed that if Christian Horner had been removed earlier, Max Verstappen would have won the 2025 Drivers’ Championship. Read his full remarks here.

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