Lando Norris has revealed his decision to use the number one on his McLaren car for the upcoming season after winning the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship, surpassing Max Verstappen. His third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix secured his victory, finishing two points ahead of his Red Bull rival.
Norris, who previously identified with the number four, will switch to the number one for the 2026 season, a tradition signifying excellence in the sport. He expressed his pride in adopting the number one, emphasizing that it symbolizes the collective effort of the McLaren team and not just his individual achievement.
Before adopting the number one, Verstappen raced with the number 33 on his Red Bull car. It is uncertain if he will revert to this number or pursue the number three previously associated with Daniel Ricciardo, with FIA regulations requiring a two-year absence from F1 before reclaiming a number.
While many champions embrace the number one, Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time champion, has opted to retain his iconic number 44 throughout his career, aligning it with his personal brand similar to Norris.
Norris’ victory not only ended Verstappen’s long reign as the dominant force in F1 but also marked a significant shift after a prolonged period where every world champion drove for either Red Bull or Mercedes. Prior to Norris, Jenson Button was the last champion not affiliated with these teams, winning the championship with Brawn GP in 2009.
Having raced exclusively for McLaren throughout his F1 career, Norris expressed his satisfaction in achieving the championship with the team he has been loyal to from the beginning. He holds the distinction of being the only F1 driver to win his first championship after completing over 150 races with the same team.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can now enjoy live coverage of every race event with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, a comprehensive package offering access to various TV channels and complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.