Lando Norris has revealed his decision to display the number one on his McLaren car in the upcoming season. This honor was earned after the British driver outperformed Max Verstappen to secure the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship. His third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday secured his victory, finishing two points ahead of his Red Bull rival.
Norris confirmed that he will be switching from his iconic number four to the number one for the 2026 season, a move traditionally associated with achievement and hard work. He emphasized that the number one represents a collective effort, with everyone at McLaren, including his team of mechanics and engineers, sharing in the pride of sporting this prestigious number.
Previously, Verstappen used the number 33 on his Red Bull car before considering a change to number three, which was last seen on Daniel Ricciardo’s car. However, FIA regulations mandate a two-year absence from Formula 1 before a driver can reclaim a previously used number.
While many champions embrace the number one to mark their victory, some, like Lewis Hamilton, opt to retain their own iconic numbers. Norris’ championship win ended Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign as the supreme ruler of F1 and marked the conclusion of a significant period where every world champion drove for either Red Bull or Mercedes.
Norris, who has been loyal to McLaren throughout his F1 career, expressed his desire to achieve a championship with the team from the beginning. He stands out as the only F1 driver to secure a maiden championship after completing over 150 races with the same team.
Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1. Sky offers live coverage of every practice, qualifying session, and race during the season, as well as exclusive coverage of other sports events.
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