Lando Norris has confirmed that he will switch to the number one on his McLaren car for the upcoming season after securing the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ title by surpassing Max Verstappen. The British driver’s third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix sealed his victory, finishing the season two points ahead of his Red Bull rival.
In an interview with Sky Sports News, Norris explained that adopting the number one is a tradition symbolizing hard work and achievement, not just for himself but for his entire team at McLaren. He emphasized the pride his mechanics and engineers will feel wearing the number one, highlighting the collective effort behind his success.
Verstappen, who previously raced with the number 33 on his Red Bull car, may consider returning to that number or opting for the number three, as he expressed interest in using it before. However, FIA rules mandate a two-year absence from F1 before a driver’s previous number becomes available for selection.
While many champions choose to display the number one to celebrate their victories, some, like Lewis Hamilton, prefer to retain their iconic numbers for branding purposes. Norris’ championship win ended Verstappen’s 1,457-day reign as the F1 titleholder, marking a shift from the dominance of Red Bull and Mercedes in the sport.
Jenson Button was the last driver before Norris to win the championship without representing Red Bull or Mercedes, achieving the feat with Brawn GP in 2009. Norris’ loyalty to McLaren throughout his F1 career culminated in his maiden championship victory, a milestone achieved after over 150 races with the team.
Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle by adding HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive Formula 1 coverage. Sky’s broadcasting includes live coverage of F1 practices, qualifiers, and races, as well as exclusive content on the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.