Lando Norris takes No.1 for 2026, Verstappen moves to No.3

21:52, 18 Dec

byLuke-John Buckle

Let's take a look at the top stories from Formula 1 today, as three drivers head into 2026 with a new number on their car. George Russell has also gone skiing with his partner, Carmen Montero Mundt.

Verstappen is among three drivers with new starting numbers on their cars

Max Verstappen is no longer the Formula 1 world champion as he was outscored by two points as Lando Norris took the title.

This means the Dutchman won't race with the number one on his car in 2026.

He will switch to number three, using a rule tweak that allows drivers to change their race number.

Norris will move to the number one as the McLaren driver looks to defend his first world championship.

Photo: Race Pictures

Another British driver is joining the grid next year as Arvid Lindblad joins Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.

Lindblad is stepping up from Formula 2 after just one season at the second tier of motorsport.

Russell has gone skiing in the post-season break

Russell stepped into the team leader role at Mercedes this year after Lewis Hamilton departed for Ferrari.

The British driver won two races in Canada and Singapore. He also comfortably outscored his rookie teammate, Kimi Antonelli.

Photo: Race Pictures

He was also a consistent threat in and around the top five, spearheading Mercedes' charge to second in the Constructors' Championship.

Russell has now gone skiing in the off-season with his partner, a trip that was posted about on Instagram. The pair marked their fifth year together earlier this year in February.

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