British driver Lando Norris has revealed that he will be displaying the number one on his McLaren in the upcoming season, securing the honor by outperforming Max Verstappen to claim the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship. His third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ensured he finished the season two points ahead of his Red Bull rival.
Norris has confirmed his switch from his familiar number four, which had become synonymous with his personal brand, to the number one for the 2026 season, a number previously held by Verstappen. Speaking on Sky Sports News, Norris emphasized the tradition and pride associated with the number one, highlighting that it is a collective achievement for the McLaren team, including mechanics and engineers.
Verstappen, who previously raced with the number 33 on his Red Bull, may consider reverting to that number or opting for number three. However, FIA regulations mandate that drivers must wait two full years after leaving F1 before their number becomes available for others to use.
While many champions embrace the number one to celebrate their victories, not all drivers choose this path. Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time champion, continues to race with his iconic number 44, reflecting his personal brand just like Norris with the number four.
Norris’ championship win marked the end of Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign as F1’s top driver and also concluded a period spanning 5,505 days where every world champion drove for either Red Bull or Mercedes. Prior to Norris, Jenson Button was the last driver to secure the championship without representing these two teams, achieving success with Brawn GP in 2009.
Having raced exclusively for McLaren throughout his F1 career, Norris expressed his long-standing desire to achieve championship glory with the team. He stands out as the only F1 driver to win their first title after completing over 150 races with the team.
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