Lando Norris is set to make a significant transition in his Formula 1 career by adopting car number 1 starting in 2026, following his remarkable achievement of becoming the world champion. Until now, he has raced with the number 4 since joining the sport in 2019 with McLaren, but his recent championship victory has warranted this coveted change.
In a recent announcement, Norris confirmed that he will proudly display the number 1 on his McLaren for the upcoming season, an honor exclusive to reigning F1 world champions. This development also means that he will take the prestigious number 1 away from Max Verstappen, who has held it since he claimed the world title in 2022. This transition is indicative of the competitive nature of Formula 1, where the ability to sport the number 1 symbolizes not just personal achievement but also a mark of excellence within the sport.
Interestingly, Lewis Hamilton, one of the sport’s most iconic figures, chose not to utilize the number 1 during his championship-winning years at Mercedes. Instead, he has maintained his attachment to the number 44, which has become a distinct part of his legacy. Norris, however, embraces tradition, emphasizing the importance of the number 1 as he stated during an interview with Sky Sports News: “It’s tradition. It’s there for a reason. It’s there because you can go and try and grab it, and you can work hard to try and get it.” His dedication to honoring the legacy of the sport speaks volumes about his respect for the values and benchmarks that define Formula 1.
Norris understands that this accomplishment is not merely an individual success; it represents the hard work and dedication of his entire McLaren team. “All of us as a team that gets to have a role in McLaren, or my car, will get to wear that with pride,” he remarked. This sentiment extends to his mechanics, engineers, and everyone involved with McLaren, highlighting that the achievement of wearing the number 1 is a shared pride among the entire organization. He believes that his team deserves recognition for their commitment, and with the number 1, they can all celebrate together. Norris candidly noted, “It’s not as cool when you say ‘we are number four’, so they will be even happier than I am!”
Historically, since 2014, drivers have been required to retain the same car number after making their F1 debuts. However, a significant rule change is set to take effect in 2026, enabling drivers to change their car numbers from year to year, granting them greater flexibility. Regardless of this shift, Verstappen would have found himself needing to select a new number after surrendering the number 1 to Norris. Prior to his championship reign, the Dutch driver raced using number 33 but has expressed a personal preference for the number 3, which was previously associated with fellow driver Daniel Ricciardo.
Norris’s triumph in the Drivers’ Championship was secured in a nail-biting finale, where he narrowly outpaced Verstappen by just two points and managed to distance himself from his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 13 points. This victory places him in an elite category as the 11th British driver to achieve the title of F1 world champion. His achievement was celebrated not only within the racing community but also acknowledged by a myriad of sports figures and celebrities across the globe. Among those who sent their congratulations were UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, NBA star Jimmy Butler, six-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, and reigning world darts champion Luke Littler.
Reflecting on this monumental achievement, Norris remarked, “It was a big moment. It was a pretty incredible achievement for me and many other people that are all part of the big journey that we’ve been on.” He recognizes the unique nature of such an accomplishment and the importance of celebrating it fully. “I had to celebrate well, enjoy the moment, because it’s a rare moment for anyone.” This acknowledgment speaks to the emotional weight of the victory, as he understands that it may only occur once in a lifetime.
The flood of messages he received following his championship win not only thrilled him but also served as a testament to the vast network of relationships he has built throughout his career. “I’ve got a lot of messages! There’s a lot on Instagram, a lot of legends, a lot of incredible athletes or personalities and just a lot of people that I’ve met around the world. That’s always just that bonus to everything.” While he appreciates the outpouring of support from the broader community, Norris emphasizes that the moments shared with those closest to him, like friends and family, hold the most profound significance. “It’s not what I go around craving. The moment is the one with my friends, my family. But of course, the more messages you get, the cooler it is, so I appreciate all of the messages.” This perspective highlights the personal nature of his journey and the gratitude he feels towards those who have supported him along the way.
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