Norris Ends McLaren's 5555-Day #1 Drought in Barcelona Test

Reigning world champion Lando Norris completed his first laps in the 2026 McLaren MCL40 at the Barcelona shakedown, marking the first time the #1 has graced a McLaren car in over 15 years. The Briton described the sight as "surreal" and a moment of pride for the entire team, while focusing on initial data gathering with the new, regulation-changing car.

Why it matters:

The return of the #1 to a McLaren signifies the end of a long championship drought for the historic team, last seen when Jenson Button carried it in 2010. For Norris, it transforms his title from an abstract achievement into a visible reality on his car and suit, cementing his status and bringing a new layer of expectation as the benchmark driver on the grid.

The details:

• Norris completed 76 laps in a black-and-grey testing livery at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, calling it a "productive" day focused on understanding the new car.
• He admitted the visual of the #1 on timing screens and his car made his championship feel "unbelievable" and real for the first time.
• While acknowledging the added pressure that comes with the number, Norris insisted his preparation and approach haven't changed.
• The shakedown was the first time the 2026 MCL40 had been fully assembled, a moment Norris highlighted as a credit to the team's off-season work.
• The focus of the day was procedural, centered on system checks and building a baseline understanding under F1's new 2026 technical regulations, not outright lap time.

What's next:

The testing program continues with teammate Oscar Piastri scheduled to drive the MCL40 for the first time on Thursday. Both drivers are then expected to share duties in the car on the final day of the Barcelona test as McLaren gathers crucial data to develop its 2026 challenger with its reigning champion at the helm.