Lando Norris explains decision to change F1 driver number

Lando Norris has shed light on his decision to switch to number 1 as his driver number next year following his world championship triumph.

The number is reserved for the reigning world champion, with Verstappen using it across the last three seasons on his Red Bull.

However, it was Norris who came out on top in the title fight last Sunday in Abu Dhabi, besting Verstappen and Oscar Piastri to the top spot.

On Monday, Norris revealed he would make the change from number 4 to number 1 for the 2026 campaign.

Changing numbers is not compulsory for the champion, with Lewis Hamilton electing to keep his number 44 during his title-winning years.

But explaining his choice to take on the new number, Norris told Sky F1: “It's tradition, it's there for a reason.

“You can go and try to grab it, and you can work hard to try and get it.”

Norris, who has a multi-year deal in place with McLaren, will enter the sport's new era next year seeking to defend his crown.

The 26-year-old asserted the number 1 badge will not only reflect his own achievement, but the role the team played en route to championship success.

“For one year, all of us as a team [those who] get to have a role in McLaren and my car will get to wear that with pride,” he said.

“It's all my mechanics, my engineers, everyone that's part of McLaren gets to have that acknowledgement too. 

“It's not for me, it's for them as well. It's their pride. 

“It's knowing that they put a lot of work and effort into everything, that they also get to go 'we're number one'. 

“It's not as cool if we're number four. So they'll be even happier than I am.”