Lando Norris has revealed his decision to display the number one on his McLaren in the upcoming season. The British driver secured the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ title by surpassing Max Verstappen, finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to clinch the championship two points ahead of his Red Bull rival.
Norris confirmed that he will switch from his iconic number four to the number one for the 2026 campaign, a tradition signifying excellence in the sport. He emphasized that the number one represents a collective effort, with everyone in the McLaren team sharing in the pride and recognition that comes with it.
Verstappen previously raced with the number 33 on his Red Bull, and it is uncertain whether he will revert to that number or pursue using number three, as he has mentioned before. However, FIA regulations require drivers to spend two full years away from F1 before their number becomes available for others to use.
While many champions opt for the number one after winning, some, like Lewis Hamilton, prefer to stick with their familiar number. Norris’s victory ended Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign as the top F1 driver and marked the conclusion of a 5,505-day period where every world champion drove for either Red Bull or Mercedes.
Jenson Button was the last driver before Norris to win a championship without being associated with Red Bull or Mercedes, achieving the feat in 2009 with Brawn GP. Norris expressed his long-standing desire to win with McLaren, making him the first F1 driver to claim a maiden championship after completing over 150 races with the same team.
Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, now offering additional content such as HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, and more, along with comprehensive Formula 1 coverage. Sky broadcasts all F1 events, including practice sessions, qualifiers, and races, as well as exclusive coverage of other sports like the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.