Lando Norris has revealed his decision to display the number one on his McLaren car in the upcoming season. This honor comes after the British driver surpassed Max Verstappen to claim the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship title. Securing a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris finished the season two points ahead of his Red Bull rival.
In a recent announcement, Norris confirmed his switch from his iconic number four, which had been synonymous with his personal brand, to the number one previously adorned by Verstappen since 2022. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Norris emphasized the significance of tradition and the collective pride that his team at McLaren will share in carrying the prestigious number.
Verstappen, who previously raced with the number 33 on his Red Bull car, may consider returning to that number or opting for the number three, which he expressed interest in before. However, FIA regulations require drivers to spend two full seasons away from F1 before reclaiming their previous number.
While many champions embrace the number one to signify their victories, not all drivers follow this trend. For instance, Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time champion, has stuck with his distinguished number 44, which has become an integral part of his personal branding.
Norris’ championship win marked the end of Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign as the supreme ruler of F1 and concluded a significant period of 5,505 days during which every world champion raced for either Red Bull or Mercedes. Jenson Button was the last driver before Norris to clinch the championship without representing these two teams, achieving the feat with Brawn GP in 2009.
Norris has remained loyal to McLaren throughout his F1 career and expressed his long-standing desire to win the championship with the team. He holds the distinction of being the only F1 driver to secure his first championship after completing over 150 races for the team.
In related news, 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 remains the go-to destination for broadcasting F1 events, offering coverage of practices, qualifiers, races, as well as exclusive content for other sports like the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.
