Newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris has revealed he will run the prestigious car number 1 for 2026 F1 season, marking a significant shift from his longstanding number 4 that he has carried since his debut in 2019.
This choice comes hot on the heels of his dramatic maiden title victory, secured with a third-place finish at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he edged out Max Verstappen by just two points in one of the closest championships in recent memory.
Norris’ decision to embrace the number 1 underscores a deep respect for F1 tradition while honoring the collective efforts of his McLaren team, transforming what could have been a personal accolade into a symbol of shared triumph across the entire squad.
The 26-year-old British driver’s path to this moment has been nothing short of extraordinary, blending raw talent, relentless determination, and strategic brilliance that propelled his team to the forefront of the grid.
Entering the 2025 season as a perennial contender but yet to claim the crown, Norris delivered consistent podium finishes and clutch victories, particularly in high-stakes races like Monza and Silverstone where his overtaking prowess and tire management shone through adverse conditions.
His championship-clinching performance in Abu Dhabi GP exemplified the poise that defined his campaign; trailing Verstappen by a slim margin heading into the finale, Norris navigated a chaotic race filled with safety cars and tire strategy gambles to secure the vital points, ending the Red Bull driver’s four-year reign at the summit.
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This triumph not only validated years of near-misses—including runner-up finishes in prior seasons—but also elevated McLaren’s status, as the team clinched key upgrades that turned their MCL39 into a dominant force midway through the year.
In a post-race interview with Sky Sports, Lando Norris revealed his decision to use car number 1 for 2026 F1 is more than symbolic: “It’s tradition. It’s there for a reason. It’s there because you can go and try grab it and you can work hard to try and get it.
“All of us as a team that gets to have a role in McLaren, or my car, will get to wear that with pride. It’s all my mechanics, my engineers, everyone that’s part of McLaren gets to have that acknowledgement too.
“So it’s not for me, it’s for them as well. It’s their pride, knowing that they put a lot of work and effort into everything that they can also go ‘we’re number one’.
“It’s not as cool when you say ‘we are number four’ so they will be even happier than I am!”
In Formula 1, the privilege of displaying number 1 is reserved exclusively for the reigning Drivers’ Championship winner, a convention dating back decades that symbolizes supremacy on the circuit.
Prior to the 2014 introduction of permanent career numbers, the defending champion always ran number 1, with their teammate on 2, and the grid filling out based on constructors’ standings—a system that added layers of prestige and rivalry.
The modern era offers champions the flexibility to stick with their chosen personal number, as evidenced by Lewis Hamilton’s loyalty to his iconic 44 across multiple title defenses.
Verstappen who has embraced number 1 since his 2021 breakthrough will be forced to revert to his original number 33 for 2026 season.
However, the four-time Formula 1 world champion has heavily hinted he is eyeing up former Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo’s old number 3.
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