Lando Norris has revealed his decision to display the number one on his McLaren car in the upcoming season. He earned this honor by surpassing Max Verstappen to secure the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship, finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and ending the season two points ahead of his Red Bull rival.
Norris confirmed his switch from his usual number four to the prestigious number one for the 2026 campaign, which Verstappen had previously sported. He emphasized the tradition and significance of the number, expressing that it symbolizes hard work and achievement not just for him, but for his entire McLaren team.
Verstappen, who had previously used the number 33 on his Red Bull car, may consider reverting to that number or opting for the number three, as he had expressed interest in the past. However, FIA regulations require drivers to spend two full years away from Formula 1 before their previous number becomes available for selection by others.
While many champions embrace the number one to celebrate their victories, some, like Lewis Hamilton, prefer to maintain their iconic numbers that have become part of their personal brand. Norris’ championship win marked the end of Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign as the top driver in Formula 1 and concluded a 5,505-day period where every world champion drove for either Red Bull or Mercedes.
Before Norris, Jenson Button was the last driver to win the championship without representing Red Bull or Mercedes, achieving his victory with Brawn GP in 2009. Norris, who has been loyal to McLaren throughout his F1 career, expressed his long-standing desire to win the championship with the team, becoming the first driver to secure his maiden title after completing over 150 races with the same team.
In a separate development, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and full Formula 1 coverage. Sky offers comprehensive broadcasting of all practice sessions, qualifiers, and races throughout the season, in addition to exclusive coverage of other sports events like the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.