McLaren Confirm Lando Norris Will Run Iconic Number One in 2026 After FIA Announcement
McLaren have officially confirmed that Lando Norris will race with the prestigious number one on his car for the 2026 Formula 1 season, following his maiden world championship triumph. The confirmation comes after the FIA published its official season entry list, making Norris’ switch from his long-standing number four fully official.
The 26-year-old Brit secured the Formula 1 world title earlier this month at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, delivering McLaren their first drivers’ championship in over a decade. With that achievement, Norris earned the right to use the number one, a privilege reserved exclusively for the reigning world champion.
McLaren later confirmed that Norris had chosen to embrace the tradition, marking a significant change ahead of a new era in Formula 1 regulations set to begin in 2026.
A Rare and Symbolic Choice
Since Formula 1 introduced permanent driver numbers in 2014, the use of the number one has been optional and available only to the defending champion. Many title winners have chosen to retain their personal numbers instead of adopting the historic digit.
Lewis Hamilton, despite winning multiple championships during the hybrid era, famously declined the number one in favour of his iconic No.44, while Nico Rosberg retired immediately after winning the 2016 title, never racing with the champion’s number.
As a result, the number one has appeared on the grid only once in the past decade prior to Norris’ decision. That came in 2022, when Max Verstappen adopted it following his first world championship win in 2021.
Verstappen continued to race with the number during his dominant four-year title run, but after losing the championship in 2025, the number has now passed on to Norris.
Norris Embraces Tradition
Confirming his decision, Norris explained that taking the number one was about more than personal achievement — it was a symbol of collective effort.
“It’s tradition, and it’s there for a reason,” Norris said. “It represents something you work incredibly hard to earn. Everyone at McLaren who has played a part in this journey gets to share in that pride.”
Norris added that the number one would not belong solely to him, but to the entire team that helped deliver the championship.
“It’s not just my car that gets to wear it,” he continued. “It’s the whole team, every single person at McLaren. We’ll all wear it with pride.”
McLaren’s Return to the Summit
Norris’ title victory marked a defining moment for McLaren, ending a long wait for drivers’ championship glory and cementing their return as a consistent front-running force in Formula 1.
The British team had shown steady progress over recent seasons, but 2025 proved to be the breakthrough year. Norris delivered a string of consistent performances across the calendar, combining race wins, podiums, and crucial points finishes to edge out fierce competition in one of the most closely fought title battles in recent memory.
His championship success also sparked celebrations beyond the paddock. In his home county of Somerset, a street was renamed in his honour, highlighting the impact of his achievement both within motorsport and the wider public.
Verstappen Hands Over the Crown
Norris’ rise to the top also marked the end of Max Verstappen’s extended reign as world champion. The Dutch driver had been the benchmark of the sport since 2021, using the number one throughout his four consecutive title victories.
While Verstappen remains one of the grid’s most formidable competitors, the FIA’s confirmed entry list now shows the champion’s number switching hands — a symbolic moment that underlines the changing landscape of Formula 1 heading into a new regulatory cycle.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 season is expected to usher in one of the most significant technical shake-ups in Formula 1 history, with new power unit regulations and chassis changes aimed at improving sustainability and competition.
For Norris and McLaren, the challenge will be defending their crown under radically different conditions — a task made even more demanding by the attention that comes with running the number one.
However, Norris has consistently shown maturity and composure under pressure, traits that were instrumental in his title-winning campaign. By choosing to race with the number one, he has signalled his readiness to embrace the responsibility and expectation that comes with being world champion.
As the countdown to the 2026 season begins, McLaren’s iconic papaya cars will return to the grid carrying the most coveted number in motorsport — a visible reminder that Lando Norris now sits at the very top of Formula 1.
