Lando Norris revealed his decision to switch to the number one on his McLaren car for the upcoming season. This move comes after he secured the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship, edging out Max Verstappen by two points at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris, who previously sported the number four, expressed that adopting the number one is a tradition signifying hard work and pride for the entire McLaren team.
Verstappen, who previously raced with the number 33, may consider returning to it or opting for the number three, which he previously expressed interest in. However, FIA regulations require drivers to wait two full years before reclaiming their chosen number.
While many champions embrace the number one to commemorate their victories, Lewis Hamilton, with seven titles to his name, has stuck with his iconic number 44. Norris’ championship win not only ended Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign but also marked the conclusion of a 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 claim a championship before Norris, following his 2009 win with Brawn GP. Norris, loyal to McLaren throughout his career, fulfilled his championship dream with the team he has been a part of since the beginning. He holds the distinction of being the only driver in F1 history to win a championship after completing over 150 races for the same team.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can catch all the action live with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering coverage of every practice, qualifying session, and race, along with a variety of TV channels and complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.