Lando Norris has confirmed he will use the number 1 for McLaren next year after winning the F1 Drivers’ Championship.
Only reigning F1 world champions can use the number 1 number on their cars, so Norris will take it from Max Verstappen, who will wear it from 2022.
Lewis Hamilton chose not to use that number after several championship-winning years with Mercedes, choosing instead to stick with his iconic 44.
Norris, who has worn the number 4 jersey since joining F1 in 2019, told Sky Sports News of his decision: “It’s a tradition. It’s there for a reason. It’s there because you can go and grab it and you can work hard to get it.”
“Everyone at McLaren, or any team that has played a role in my car, will wear it with pride. It will be recognized by all my mechanics, engineers and everyone who is part of McLaren.”
“So it’s not just for me, it’s for them too. It’s their pride and they put so much effort and effort into everything that they know they too can be ‘we’re number one.’ It’s not that cool to say ‘we’re number one’ and they’ll be even happier than me!”
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Emotional Lando Norris looks back on his career leading up to his world title win in Abu Dhabi
Since 2014, drivers have continued to use the same car number after making their F1 debut, but this rule will change from 2026, allowing drivers to change their number every year.
Regardless of the regulation changes, Verstappen would have needed to find a new number after losing number one to Norris.
The Dutchman wore number 33 before becoming world champion, but says his favorite number is number 3, previously worn by Daniel Ricciardo.
Max Verstappen will use number 1 on his car from 2022 (Red Bull Content Pool)
Norris: We had to celebrate!
Norris won this year’s drivers’ championship with a two-point lead over Verstappen and a 13-point lead over his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
He is the 11th British driver to become F1 world champion and was celebrated by sporting figures and celebrities from around the world, including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, NBA star Jimmy Butler, six-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz and current world darts champion Luke Littler.
“That was a big moment. It was a pretty incredible accomplishment for me and a lot of other people who are part of this big journey that we’ve been on,” Norris said.
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Experience Lando Norris winning the world championship title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and celebrating with donuts as you watch from the cockpit.
“I had to really celebrate and enjoy the moment, because it’s a rare moment for everyone. It could be a unique moment, it could be the only moment, so I had to make it memorable.
“I get so many messages! So many messages on Instagram, so many legends, so many great athletes and celebrities, so many people I’ve met all over the world. That’s always a bonus for everything.
“It’s not something I go around looking for. Those moments are moments with friends and family. But of course, the more messages you get, the cooler you are, so I appreciate all the messages.”
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