Norris to Run #1 in 2025, Crediting McLaren Team After Championship Win

Lando Norris will immediately adopt the #1 on his McLaren for 2025 post-season testing, ending his eight-year association with #4. The newly crowned world champion framed the switch as a tribute to McLaren's collective effort, declaring the iconic number belongs to "all my mechanics, engineers, everyone at McLaren" rather than himself.

Why it matters:

Norris's decision to embrace #1 contrasts sharply with Max Verstappen's choice to retain #33 after his 2021 title, breaking a recent trend where champions avoided the traditional marker. His insistence on sharing the honor with the team highlights McLaren's cultural shift from individual stardom to collective achievement—a philosophy credited for their 2024 championship turnaround after years of midfield struggles.

The Details:

• Norris confirmed the #1 will appear on his MCL39 during this week's Abu Dhabi post-season test: "It’s tradition. It’s there because you can work hard to try and get it."
• Team Recognition: He repeatedly emphasized the number celebrates McLaren's workforce: "It’s not for me, it’s for them. They put effort into everything. They get to go ‘we’re number one’—it’s not as cool saying ‘we’re number four.’"
• Historical Context: Since F1 allowed permanent numbers in 2014, only Sebastian Vettel (2014) and Nico Rosberg (2017) immediately adopted #1. Lewis Hamilton famously kept #44 after his first title, while Verstappen never switched from #33 despite four championships.
• Verstappen's Dilemma: With Norris claiming #1, Verstappen now faces pressure to choose a new number. Though he's previously joked about #69, insiders suggest he'll likely revert to #3—the number he used in junior categories—ending his #33 era.

Looking Ahead:

Norris's embrace of #1 could reset championship traditions in F1, potentially pressuring future title winners to adopt the number. For McLaren, the symbolic shift coincides with their technical resurgence under new leadership, suggesting the team views 2024 as just the foundation.

• The #1 livery rollout during post-season testing will serve as both celebration and psychological statement ahead of 2025's regulation tweaks.
• Verstappen's number decision—expected within weeks—will reveal whether he treats the change as ceremonial or seeks to redefine his personal brand after losing the title.
• Crucially, Norris's team-first narrative may influence how constructors approach championship symbolism, shifting focus from driver egos to organizational pride in an increasingly team-dependent sport.