Lando Norris has revealed his decision to display the number one on his McLaren car in the upcoming season after securing the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship title ahead of Max Verstappen. His third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ensured he finished the season two points ahead of his Red Bull rival.
Norris will be abandoning his signature number four for the 2026 season in favor of the number one, which Verstappen has been using since 2022. In an interview with Sky Sports News, Norris emphasized the significance of the number one as a symbol of tradition and hard work for the entire McLaren team, including his mechanics and engineers.
Verstappen previously raced with the number 33 on his Red Bull car, and it is uncertain whether he will revert to that number or opt for number three, which was last seen on Daniel Ricciardo’s car. FIA regulations dictate that drivers must spend two full years away from F1 before their number becomes available for others to choose.
While many champions embrace the number one to celebrate their victories, Lewis Hamilton, despite his seven titles, has consistently stuck with his iconic number 44 as part of his personal brand, similar to Norris.
Norris’ championship win marked the end of Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign as the supreme ruler of F1. It also concluded a remarkable 5,505-day period where every world champion drove for either Red Bull or Mercedes. Jenson Button was the last non-Red Bull or Mercedes driver to win the championship before Norris, achieving the feat with Brawn GP in 2009.
Having spent his entire F1 career with McLaren, Norris expressed his desire to win the championship with the team from the outset. He is the only F1 driver to clinch his maiden title after completing over 150 races with the team.
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