New world champ Lando Norris to drive as No. 1 in 2026

Lando Norris, fresh off securing his first Formula 1 world championship, has confirmed he will proudly race with the No. 1 on his McLaren in the 2026 season.

The prestigious number, which signifies the reigning world champion, is a traditional honor Norris will now carry following his narrow victory over four-time reigning champion Max Verstappen in a dramatic final stretch of the season.

Norris clinched the title by just two points, finishing third in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix behind teammate Oscar Piastri, while Verstappen, who won the race, fell short in the championship battle. This victory marked a historic achievement for Norris, who has now etched his name among the elite drivers in F1.

Although Norris has typically raced with the No. 4 on his car, the 26-year-old British driver is embracing the honor of donning the No. 1 next season. In an interview with Sky Sports News, Norris expressed his excitement, stating, "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."

The No. 1 has long been reserved for the reigning champion, with the mandatory rule that a driver must race with it in place until 2014, when drivers gained the option to retain their previous number. Despite this shift, Norris, like most champions, eagerly accepts the responsibility and pride that comes with the number.

"It's not for me, it's for them as well," Norris explained, referring to his McLaren team. "It's their pride, knowing that they put a lot of work and effort into everything, and they can also go, 'We're No. 1.' It’s not as cool when you say, 'We are No. 4.' So they will be even happier than I am!"

Verstappen, who has raced with the No. 1 since 2022, has not yet decided whether he will return to the No. 33 he previously raced with. The Dutch driver mentioned that he would have chosen No. 3 when entering F1, but it was already taken by Daniel Ricciardo. According to current F1 rules, a number must be absent from the sport for at least two years before it can be reassigned, meaning Verstappen would need Ricciardo's permission to adopt No. 3.

Norris secured his championship by finishing in the top three at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, a race where he clinched his seventh Grand Prix win of the season. Verstappen had eight wins, but Norris' consistency, with 18 podium finishes and seven poles, was enough to claim the coveted title.

With this achievement, Norris becomes the first McLaren driver to win the F1 world championship since Lewis Hamilton claimed his maiden title in 2008. As he moves into the 2026 season, the 26-year-old will carry the weight of being the world champion and the pride of his McLaren team, who will also proudly sport the No. 1 as they work toward more future successes together.

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