Norris claims No. 1 as car number for 2026: A champion’s tradition reborn

The Formula One grid is set for a significant visual change in 2026 as newly crowned World Champion Lando Norris confirms he will replace his iconic No. 4 with the symbol of sporting supremacy, the No. 1. The move sees the McLaren driver embrace tradition, signalling the dawn of his title-defending era.

Credit: Formula One

Norris, who has been synonymous with the No. 4 since his debut in 2019, will now be one of the few drivers since 2014 to exercise the right granted exclusively to the reigning champion, taking the digit away from Max Verstappen.

The weight of tradition: "It's there for a reason"

For Norris, the decision to abandon his personal brand number is a deliberate, symbolic gesture that transcends individual fame—it is about honoring the history of the sport and the effort of his entire team. The No. 1 is, to him, the ultimate acknowledgement of a job completed.

Speaking about the choice, Norris stressed the importance of carrying on the custom.

"It's tradition. It's there for a reason," Norris stated. "It's there because you can go and try grab it and you can work hard to try and get it."

Crucially, he made it clear that the number is not just for him, but a visible reward for everyone at Woking who contributed to his 2025 success.

"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'."

He admitted the significance of the number for the mechanics and engineers who worked tirelessly throughout the season:

"It’s all my mechanics, my engineers, everyone that’s part of McLaren gets to have that acknowledgement too... It's not as cool when you say 'we are number four' so they will be even happier than I am!"

The season that earned the right

Norris earned the right to choose the No. 1 by navigating a brutal and highly competitive 2025 season. He secured his status as the 11th British F1 World Champion by just two points over Verstappen, a margin that highlights the tight pressure he operated under.

His season was a testament to resilience, defined by a dramatic arc of highs and lows.

The early part of the season proved McLaren had arrived as a consistent force. Norris secured critical statement victories before the summer break, including the Australian Grand Prix, the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, the high-speed challenge of Silverstone, and the tactical race in Hungary.

A heartbreaking late DNF at the Dutch Grand Prix saw him surrender his lead, forcing him to fight from behind. With exceptional late-season wins in Mexico and São Paulo, the driver overcame a 34 point deficit and fought his way back into contention.

Despite a disqualification in Las Vegas and a botched strategy in Qatar, Norris stayed calm under pressure in Abu Dhabi; the race that mattered most.

After clinching the title, the emotional toll of the journey was evident: "I’ve not cried in a while. I didn’t think I’d cry but I did," he admitted, reflecting on the support from his family and the team's long journey.

"It's been a long journey with McLaren... For me to bring something back to them, it's their first Drivers' [title] in many, many years, I feel like I did my part for the team this year."

The fight, the effort, and the final victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earned him the unique privilege. When the cars line up on the grid in 2026, Norris will proudly carry the No. 1, a powerful symbol of his achievement and a testament to the tradition he chose to honor.