Lando Norris has revealed his decision to display the number one on his McLaren car in the upcoming season. The British racer secured the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ title by surpassing Max Verstappen, finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and ending the season with a two-point lead over his Red Bull rival.
Norris, who previously identified with the number four, will now embrace the number one for the 2026 campaign, a tradition signifying excellence and hard work. He emphasized that the number represents a collective achievement for everyone in the McLaren team, expressing pride in the collaborative effort that led to his championship win.
Formerly sporting the number 33 with Red Bull, Verstappen may consider switching back to the same number or opt for number three, as he previously expressed interest in. However, FIA regulations mandate a two-year absence from Formula 1 for a driver to reclaim their previous number.
While many champions choose to race with the number one, like Lewis Hamilton, who maintains his iconic 44, Norris’ victory ended Verstappen’s reign of 1,457 days as the top driver in Formula 1. It also marked the end of a significant 5,505-day period where every world champion drove for either Red Bull or Mercedes.
Norris’s championship win broke the pattern, with Jenson Button being the last non-Red Bull or Mercedes driver to claim the title in 2009. Remaining loyal to McLaren throughout his career, Norris expressed his desire to achieve the championship with the team from the start, making him the only F1 driver to win a maiden championship after completing over 150 races with the same team.
In related news, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include popular streaming services like HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1. Sky offers exclusive broadcasting of Formula 1 events, including practices, qualifiers, and races, as well as coverage of Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf tournaments.
