Norris reveals car number choice after being crowned 2025 F1 world champion

17:26, 08 Dec

Updated: 18:21, 08 Dec

byKada Sarkozi

Lando Norris is set to take over having the number 1 on his car from Max Verstappen in the 2026 season, he said after the Abu Dhabi season finale.

"It's tradition."

- Lando Norris

Since joining Formula 1 in the 2019 season, the British driver used number 4 on his car, but that will change heading into the upcoming campaign.

Since drivers were allowed to pick their numbers entering the 2014 season, Norris is the fifth driver who can make this decision. Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen also claimed '1' on their cars.

Nico Rosberg retired after winning the 2016 title, while Lewis Hamilton continued to use his '44' after his titles. However, the seven-time world champion did use '1' in the past when driving for McLaren, as after his victory in 2008, he was automatically handed the number for the 2009 campaign.

Talking to Sky Sports News, Norris said: "It's tradition. It's there for a reason. It's there because you can go and try grab it and you can work hard to try and get it.

"All of us as a team that gets to have a role in McLaren, or my car, will get to wear that with pride. It's all my mechanics, my engineers, everyone that's part of McLaren gets to have that acknowledgement too.

"So it's not for me, it's for them as well. It's their pride, knowing that they put a lot of work and effort into everything that they can also go 'we're number one'. It's not as cool when you say 'we are number four' so they will be even happier than I am!"

Norris will return to action on Tuesday during the post-season Pirelli Tyre Test at the Yas Marina Circuit. The Briton also added that he believes his new number will already be on his car for the event.

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