Norris Claims No. 1 for 2026 After Ending Verstappen's Reign

Lando Norris confirmed he'll carry the prestigious No. 1 on his McLaren in 2026 after clinching his maiden Formula 1 world championship at last weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 25-year-old British driver dethroned Max Verstappen, ending the Dutchman's three-year title streak and becoming F1's youngest champion since Sebastian Vettel.

Why it matters:

• The No. 1 designation represents F1's ultimate symbol of supremacy, last worn by Verstappen since 2022
• Norris' championship breaks Red Bull's stranglehold on the sport and signals McLaren's full resurgence
• This generational shift impacts team dynamics as Verstappen reverts to his permanent No. 33

The Details:

• Norris made the announcement during his champion's press conference, stating: "Taking No. 1 feels surreal – it's the number every kid dreams of when they start karting. I'll wear it with immense pride but also huge responsibility."
• Under F1 regulations, reigning champions may choose to retain their permanent racing number (Norris uses 4) or adopt No. 1 – a tradition dating back to 1996
• Historical Context: Only seven drivers have carried No. 1 since 2002, including Verstappen (2022-2025), Hamilton (2015, 2018-2019), and Vettel (2011-2013)
  • The last British driver to use No. 1 was Hamilton in 2018
  • Norris becomes the first champion to choose No. 1 over a permanent number since Verstappen in 2022
• Team Impact: McLaren's decision to run No. 1/4 pairing (instead of traditional 1/2) maintains Norris' established brand identity while honoring championship protocol
• Verstappen's Shift: The Dutch driver will return to No. 33 next season, the number he's used since junior categories – a rare case of a former champion voluntarily abandoning No. 1

What's next:

Norris' championship victory creates immediate pressure points across the grid as teams recalibrate for the post-Verstappen era.

• Red Bull faces unprecedented questions about sustaining dominance without their talismanic driver holding the crown, though team principal Christian Horner insists: "Max remains our undisputed leader – numbers don't define his role."
• The 2026 technical regulations could amplify Norris' advantage, with McLaren's early work on next-generation power units potentially extending their competitive window
• Commercially, Norris' marketability surges as the sport's new face – his No. 1 livery will feature prominently in all official F1 branding materials for the upcoming season
• F1's tradition of champions choosing No. 1 remains intact, though growing sentiment suggests the sport may eventually phase out the practice to strengthen driver-brand continuity