Norris Claims No. 1 for 2026 McLaren After Championship Win

Lando Norris will carry the prestigious No. 1 on his McLaren in 2026 after clinching his first world championship with a dramatic P3 finish in Abu Dhabi. His two-point margin over race winner Max Verstappen ended the Dutchman's four-year title reign and triggered Formula 1's longstanding tradition of the champion claiming the top number.

Why it matters:

The return of No. 1 to McLaren after 30 years symbolizes more than branding—it validates the team's resurgence from perennial midfield status to championship contention. While modern F1 drivers typically retain personal numbers since 2014, Norris' choice reaffirms the championship's ultimate prestige in a sport increasingly dominated by corporate identity.

The details:

• Norris immediately embraced the tradition: "It's there for a reason. It's not for me—it's for my mechanics, engineers, everyone at McLaren. They'll be prouder wearing 'we're number one' than 'we are number four.'"
• McLaren last ran No. 1 in 1994 when Mika Häkkinen carried it during his championship campaign, making this a symbolic homecoming for the Woking squad.
• Regulatory shift: The F1 Commission recently approved rules allowing drivers to change numbers mid-career, opening the door for Verstappen's potential switch to No. 3.
  • Verstappen originally wanted No. 3 as a rookie but took No. 33 when Daniel Ricciardo occupied his preferred number.
  • His request now hinges on losing the title—and subsequent approval from governing bodies.
• Grid reshuffle: Norris' adoption of No. 1 means McLaren's current No. 4 disappears temporarily, while No. 33 returns to circulation after Verstappen abandoned it post-2020.

What's next:

Verstappen's potential number change could trigger wider grid adjustments if approved before 2026. While his team confirmed he's "awaiting approval" for No. 3, the regulation change remains unprecedented in the modern era—raising questions about how frequently drivers might alter identifiers.

• If Verstappen retains the title, he'd run No. 1 while Norris reverts to his personal No. 4, creating an ironic reversal of their current numbering.
• The FIA must finalize implementation details by November, including whether number changes require championship status changes or can occur freely.
• This development highlights F1's balancing act between honoring tradition and adapting to driver preferences in an increasingly personalized sport—where a simple numeral carries decades of legacy and team identity.