MAX VERSTAPPEN CONFIRMS NEW F1 CAR NUMBER AFTER LOSING WORLD TITLE TO LANDO NORRIS

Max Verstappen has chosen a new Formula One car number after handing over his previous number to new world champion Lando Norris

Max Verstappen will take Daniel Ricciardo's old racing number three next season in the wake of being pipped to the Formula One world title by Lando Norris.

Red Bull's four-time world champion 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.

"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."

He added: "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."

Australian Ricciardo was Verstappen's Red Bull teammate from 2016-18 but has now retired. The governing FIA and driver have 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 announced earlier this month that he would be swapping his number four for the champion's one next year.

Verstappen and Norris were involved in a thrilling battle for the F1 world championship this year.

The Dutch driver was attempting to win his fifth consecutive title but appeared to be out of contention midway through the season when Norris and his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, pulled clear in the standings.

However, Verstappen gradually reeled them in to set up a thrilling finale in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen won the final race of the season, but needed Norris to finish fourth or lower to win the title.

The Brit held his nerve to finish third as he secured his maiden world title by just two points.

 - Alan Baldwin

DANIEL RICCIARDO JOINS FORCES WITH F1 TEAM AFTER STRIKING NEW DEAL

© XPBimages

Daniel Ricciardo has secured his next move in motorsport, with his premium lifestyle brand Enchanté partnering with his former team.

Daniel Ricciardo is returning to motorsport, with the Australian's premium lifestyle brand Enchanté teaming up with Racing Bulls' academy programme.

The partnership will see the eight-time grand prix winner's company logo adorn the F1 Academy car of Rafaela Ferreira, starting at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend.

In addition, the deal will see Ferreira wear co-branded Enchanté team kit with apparel also available on the company's website.

"Enchanté has always come from a place of fun," Ricciardo said. "Look good, feel good. Jumping in a car at those speeds requires so much confidence, and I know feeling comfortable walking through the paddock feeds all of that.

"This partnership between Enchanté and the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Academy Programme is something we’re really excited about, and we look forward to creating an extension of fashion in the paddock that’s been building over the last few years."

Ferreira, who sits ninth in the F1 Academy standings with eight points after two rounds, added: "I like to play around with my style and often use clothes to express who I am.

"This is such an exciting partnership as I love the fun vibe that Enchanté brings, so can’t wait to bring the confidence it gives me to track.

"I'm looking forward to wearing the collection over the weekend for my first time driving with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Academy Programme in Miami."

- Samuel Coop

RED BULL 'NEVER CONSIDERED' DANIEL RICCIARDO APPROACH TO REPLACE LIAM LAWSON

Getty 

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is adamant that the team “never considered” approaching Daniel Ricciardo about a possible Formula 1 return to replace Liam Lawson

Earlier this week, Red Bull announced that Lawson’s stint with the senior team had been cut short two rounds into 2025 amid a disastrous beginning to the campaign.

Lawson’s demotion has seen Yuki Tsunoda become the fifth driver to partner Max Verstappen since 2019 in a spot that has become renowned as a poisoned chalice.

Red Bull’s strive to resolve the team’s ongoing second driver conundrum had even extended to granting Ricciardo a reprieve with the group’s sister squad in mid-2023.

However, the Australian was unable to produce the results to inspire a dream avenue back to Red Bull, prompting him to be dropped with six rounds to go last season.

But with Ricciardo remaining the most competitive team-mate Verstappen has had, Marko was asked whether Red Bull had contemplated getting in contact with him.

“No, that was never considered,” Marko, who allegedly wanted to curtail Ricciardo’s comeback with Racing Bulls even earlier in 2024, retorted to Motorsport.com.

“Daniel had his last race and has since completely distanced himself from Formula 1.

“He was briefly in Australia [for the Grand Prix], yes, but I think he left again on Thursday. It was never a topic.”

Ricciardo indicated F1 career was done

Ricciardo had indicated once the curtain came down on his last race in Singapore that his failure to reunite with Verstappen at Red Bull had spelt an end to his career.

“I think [I] acknowledge also why I came back into the sport, sometimes you see the big picture,” Ricciardo told media including Motorsport Week at the time.

“I always said I don’t want to be a guy who’s just here on the grid and fighting for a point every now and then which has kinda been how this year’s gone.

“Obviously this year the purpose was to try and do good enough to get back into Red Bull and fight for wins again, see if I’ve still got it.

“I felt like I came up short with that, so I think it’s then, ‘ok what else am I fighting for here, what else is going to give me fulfilment’.

“I’ve been a young driver as well and at some point I don’t just want to take up space also, obviously you have to be selfish.

“But for me if I’m not able to fight at the front with Red Bull I have to ask myself what am I staying on the grid for, that’s something I’ve also come to peace with.”

- Taylor Powling

MARKO REFLECTS ON HIS 'BIGGEST MISTAKE' IN F1 DRIVER CHOICES

XPB

Red Bull motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous Formula 1 stars, including Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel, and Daniel Ricciardo.

However, while Red Bull’s driver program has provided dozens of young talents with opportunities to join motorsport’s elite, many were unable to fully realize their potential at the highest level.

Reflecting on those who fell short of expectations, Marko recently acknowledged that signing Nyck de Vries to AlphaTauri in 2023 stands out as the "biggest mistake" of his distinguished career.

A Promising Start That Faded Quickly

De Vries first turned heads with an exceptional debut performance at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix, where he stepped in for Williams at short notice and scored points with a stellar ninth-place finish.

This performance, coupled with his impressive résumé – which included championships in Formula 2 (2019) and Formula E (2020-21) – earned him a seat at AlphaTauri for the 2023 season.

However, the Dutchman's F1 tenure proved short-lived. Over the first half of the season, de Vries struggled to adapt to the highly competitive environment, being comprehensively outperformed by teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

AlphaTauri

His struggles culminated in his mid-season replacement by Daniel Ricciardo, marking the end of his brief stint in Formula 1.

“My biggest mistake? No doubt about it, it’s Nyck de Vries,” Marko said , speaking to Autosprint.

“He did very well on his debut for Williams in Monza. But once he got to AlphaTauri, he didn’t progress.

“He had an incredible track record, FIA F2 champion, also Formula E world champion, but with us the stopwatch said Nyck was the wrong choice. And in trying to go faster, he made mistakes.”

A Career Beyond F1

Since leaving F1, de Vries has returned to familiar territory, rejoining Formula E – where he previously thrived.

However, his 2023-24 campaign with Mahindra Racing yielded a lowly 18th position in the electric series’ Drivers’ standings.

His 2024-25 campaign sees him driving for Mahindra Racing for a second w team, while he also competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Toyota.

The 29-year-old is on the FE grid again this season, while he’s also been retained by the works Toyota squad in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Still a Foot in F1’s Door

Despite his unproductive stint in F1, de Vries has maintained a link with F1.

Late last year, he completed a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session with McLaren, fueling speculation about a potential simulator or reserve driver role with the Woking-based team.

With the Woking-based team losing its reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa to Alpine, de Vries may be called upon to fulfill the back-up role.

"We are going through our test programme and evaluating some drivers," commented McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown said.

"Nyck is one of them. It's about a possible position as a simulator driver, test driver and tyre tester. Unfortunately, they won't let me do that, so we have to look at others!

“Nyck is obviously a great talent, so we want to see if we can rekindle the relationship with him. He's done a good job and we'll see what will happen."

- Phillip van Osten

DANIEL RICCIARDO | IT'S BEEN ENTERTAINING

 

TOP GEAR DRIVER LAP TIMES | RICCIARDO IS THE FASTEST 🔥

 

DANIEL RICCIARDO ON WHETHER SINGAPORE WILL BE HIS FINAL F1 RACE

 

F1 PRESENTER UNDER FIRE FOR ACCUSING GEORGE RUSSELL AND DANIEL RICCIARDO OF FAKE PERSONA

Journalist and Formula 1 TV presenter Will Buxton has come under fire from fans on social media after he accused Mercedes driver George Russell and VCARB (RB) driver Daniel Ricciardo of displaying a fake persona in the media. He called out Russell for "trying to be this weird Talented Mr Ripley-type person," while Ricciardo was mocked for seeming too young.

During an appearance on DRS: De Race Show, Buxton spoke about the two drivers in a conversation with former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, particularly about the media responsibilities that F1 drivers take on during race weekends. He compared Russell and Ricciardo to McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, revealing how he is new to the world surrounding the sport and thus doesn't pretend to be anyone.

Talking about the behavior of the three drivers when they're addressing media representatives, Buxton made remarks that received severe flak from fans. He said:

“He’s [Oscar Piastri] great. What I like about Oscar is he’s still so new to all of this that he’s not trying to play up to a preconception of who he needs to be.

“Like George is trying to be this weird Talented Mr Ripley-type person, right? I don’t know what George is…like George is trying to be this thing.

“Daniel is still trying to play up to being the 24, 25-year-old Daniel and it’s like, mate you’re in your 30s, calm down.

“Flipping the bird at the bit that he crashed at last year, come on mate. I think so many of them get caught up in who the media thinks they are that they play up to their personalities.

“Oscar doesn’t have that yet and so you just get this beautiful young freedom of personality. I love that.”

Regarding Piastri, the Australian driver delivered an impressive performance at the Dutch GP, briefly leading the race before McLaren decided to pit him. He ultimately finished in fourth place, narrowly missing the podium, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finishing just two seconds ahead.

Meanwhile, Russell and Ricciardo had less favorable outcomes at Zandvoort, with Russell finishing in seventh place and Ricciardo securing twelfth. While their cars may not have supported them to have a better finish, fans have shown their support by calling out Buxton on X for his comments on the two drivers. Here are some noteworthy reactions that represent the general notion:

This fan has a very different opinion:

the next time george and danny ric are interviewed by buxton i'm gonna need them to ask him if being buddy-buddy in the press pen and then playing an edgy, unprofessional guy on a podcast is his weird persona or what

like, you're in your 40s mate, calm down. be less annoying idk

@russellius

Even if they are putting on a persona, can you really blame them? They’re constantly followed around by cameras and their every move scrutinized. It’s only natural that you’d be on guard and have a version of yourself that you’re comfortable showing the world

@amelie_op reply to @russellius

A lot fans gave similar responses:

please they are literally the most cheerful respectful and sweetest drivers on the grid and will buxton will call them “weird” behind their backs… i knew he was a loser but this is just unbelievable

@lovesricciardo

Shots fired:

Will Buxton, of ALL people, is accusing others of playing up their personalities. Incredible.

@DanTheManF1

DANIEL RICCIARDO FIRES BACK AT JACQUES VILLENEUVE'S CRITICISM

Fifth is Daniel Ricciardo's best qualifying position so far this year. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

 MONTREAL, Canada -- After securing fifth on the grid for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix, RB driver Daniel Ricciardo hit back at criticism levelled by 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve earlier this weekend.

Speaking on Sky Sports' TV, Villeneuve questioned why Ricciardo was still on the Formula One grid, he said: "I think his image has kept him in F1 more than his actual results."

The Australian's qualifying result in Canada -- just one day after Villeneuve's comments -- was his best of the year for a grand prix and his second best overall behind his fourth place grid slot for the sprint race in Miami.

Asked if he had sent a message to Villeneuve with his performance, he said: "I still don't know what he said. But I heard he's been talking s---. But he always does.

"I think he's hit his head a few too many times, I don't know if he plays ice hockey or something. But yeah. Anyway. I won't give him the time of day, but... all those people can suck it!

"I want to say more, but it's alright. We'll leave him behind."

Ricciardo's qualifying performance followed news earlier on Saturday that his teammate Yuki Tsunoda would remain at RB in 2025.

The Australian's own future is not yet clear, but he said being in Montreal, where he secured his first F1 victory in 2014, had helped him rediscover his form.

"I've obviously been highly motivated to do more than I have been this year," Ricciardo said.

"Obviously Miami was a bit of a one-off. I know how good those results feel, and that's why I do it, to feel those highs.

"I think just coming into the week, I don't know, everything felt right, I was really happy just to come back to this circuit and drive here, because I love it.

"Today is 10 years to the day of my first win, and that day changed my life. So there's a lot of nice emotions coming into it, and I felt like I was ready to do some good s---."

- Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor

RICCARDO: NO APOLOGY FROM STROLL FOR CHINESE GP CRASH

 MIAMI - Daniel Ricciardo said Lance Stroll did not reach out to apologise for their collision behind the safety car at the Chinese Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Stroll drove into the back of Ricciardo's car as the pack slowed ahead of a restart in Shanghai.

Ricciardo said Stroll had "made his blood boil" in the immediate aftermath of the incident when he found out the Canadian had suggested he was at fault.

In the two weeks since, Ricciardo said there has been no attempt from Stroll to reach out.

When asked if he would seek Stroll out to talk about the incident, Ricciardo said: "I would say no, because I feel it's not going to go anywhere. "If he texted just saying, 'Yeah, you know, my bad', whatever... I can accept an apology, I'm not that much of an asshole. But the fact that there's not even that...

"He clearly doesn't think he did anything wrong. So I guess there's not much to say.

"Obviously, if we sit next to each other in the drivers' briefing and he wants to chat, I'm not going to ignore him or anything."

Meanwhile, Stroll refused to engage journalists when asked about the situation in a news conference on Thursday ahead of the weekend's Miami Grand Prix.

He said: "Those talks are not for this room. It's for behind closed doors," and did not comment further on the matter.

WHAT'S IN A NAME? NO SHORTCUTS FOR VISA CASH APP RB"S RICCIARDO

 Daniel Ricciardo will not be cutting any corners in saying his Red Bull-owned Formula One team's new name, even if Visa Cash App RB hardly trips off the tongue.

The Italy-based team formerly known as AlphaTauri, and before that Scuderia Toro Rosso and Minardi, start the season in Bahrain next week with new management, closer ties to champions Red Bull and a mouthful of fresh identity.

"I know commentators are like 'That's too long' and whatever, but the truth is they are helping us go racing so I am very happy to call it the full name," the Australian told Reuters on Saturday.

"I know people are going to shorten it and I've already heard RB and whatever. I will say 'Do as you wish', but you’ll hear me say 'Visa Cash App RB'.

"I know for sure people are saying VCARB (the chassis name is VCARB01) but that sounds like a (energy drink) competitor to Red Bull. It doesn’t sound quite right."

The name is a talking point for the lack of a clear identity without the title sponsors and also because the team look likely to be getting more mentions than last year when they finished eighth overall.

Ricciardo was fourth fastest on the first day of testing last Wednesday and fifth on Thursday.

Some have already suggested RB -- an abbreviation of Racing Bulls -- could emerge as dark horses but the Australian played that down.

"We believe we can do better than eighth," he said, speaking during a break in filming for the team's Austrian Vodka sponsor NEFT and dressed in black tie and tuxedo.

"If people are expecting an Aston (Martin) and (Fernando) Alonso (situation) from last year, and fighting for a podium from race one, we're obviously not there yet.

"I've got an idea of who's quick and maybe who's struggling but...it's not even that I'm scared to comment on it, the truth is that I'm just still relatively unsure.

"Even if some teams are within a couple of tenths, a couple of tenths could be five positions on the grid. It can swing pretty quickly."

BREAKING: RICCIARDO & TSUNODA EXTEND CONTRACTS

 

LAWSON IS A TALENT FOR THE FUTURE, SAYS HORNER

New Zealand's Liam Lawson has a future in Formula One after doing an outstanding job as stand-in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said on Friday.

The 21-year-old will be starting his fourth race in Japan this weekend and has already produced the Red Bull-owned team's best result of the season so far with ninth place in Singapore last Sunday.

AlphaTauri look likely to continue with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda and experienced Australian Ricciardo in 2024, although there has yet to be an announcement, leaving Lawson's future unclear.

Apart from AlphaTauri, Williams are the only team with a possible vacancy if they decide not to retain U.S. rookie Logan Sargeant.

"I think he's done an outstanding job," Horner told reporters at Suzuka when asked about Lawson.

DANIEL RICCIARDO OUT WITH BROKEN ARM | ALFATAURI | THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 GRAND PRIX 2023

READY FOR THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX 2023

THE HONEY BADGER'S JOURNEY | DANIEL RICCIARDO | FORMULA 1

 

MARTIN BRUNDLE ON DANIEL RICCIARDO'S RETURN TO THE F1 GRID WITH ALFATAURI

 

RICCIARDO REPLACES DE VRIES AT ALFATAURI FROM HUNGARY

Reuters 

Australian Daniel Ricciardo will return to a Formula One race seat with AlphaTauri from Hungary next week after replacing Nyck de Vries for the rest of the season, the Red Bull-owned team said on Tuesday.

Ricciardo drove for the team from 2012-13 when they were known as Toro Rosso and then graduated to Red Bull from 2014 to 2018, winning seven races.

He left McLaren last year after being replaced by compatriot Oscar Piastri and was due to spend 2023 on the sidelines as Red Bull reserve while deciding his future intentions.

BREAKING NEWS: DANIEL RICCIARDO REPLACES NYCK DE VRIES

 

DANIEL FUTURE CONFIRMED? | FORMULA 1