Lando Norris has revealed his decision to display the number one on his McLaren car in the upcoming season. This honor comes after the British racer surpassed Max Verstappen to capture the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship title. Securing a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, Norris finished the season two points ahead of his Red Bull competitor.
Norris confirmed that he will switch from his familiar number four, which has been synonymous with his personal brand, to the prestigious number one for the 2026 season, previously adorned by Verstappen since 2022. Expressing his perspective to Sky Sports News, Norris emphasized the tradition and significance behind the number one, highlighting that it symbolizes hard work and dedication not only for himself but for his entire McLaren team.
Before adopting the number one, Verstappen raced with the number 33 on his Red Bull car. It is uncertain whether he will revert to this number or pursue his desire to use the number three, as requested earlier, following Daniel Ricciardo’s association with it. However, special permission from the FIA is required for Verstappen to make this change, as regulations mandate a two-year absence from F1 for a driver’s number to be available for selection.
While many champions opt for the number one to signify their victory, some, like Lewis Hamilton, prefer to retain their iconic numbers. Hamilton, a seven-time champion, has consistently raced with number 44, aligning with his personal branding strategy similar to Norris.
Norris’s championship win marked the end of Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign as the F1 champion and concluded a remarkable 5,505-day period dominated by Red Bull and Mercedes drivers as world champions. Jenson Button was the last driver before Norris to secure the championship without being affiliated with Red Bull or Mercedes, achieving this feat with Brawn GP in 2009.
Having exclusively raced for McLaren throughout his F1 career, Norris expressed his desire to achieve success with the team from the outset. Notably, he is the only F1 driver to clinch his debut championship after completing over 150 races with the same team.
Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle by including HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive Formula 1 coverage. Sky offers live broadcasts of all F1 sessions, as well as exclusive coverage of the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.
