Contemporary off claiming his first world championship, Lando Norris confirmed that he’ll drive with the No. 1 on his McLaren in 2026.
The standard honor is reserved for the reigning world champion, a distinction Norris claimed after outlasting four-time reigning champion Max Verstappen over the ultimate stretch of the season. Verstappen gained Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, however Norris claimed the motive force’s title by simply two factors together with his third-place end behind teammate Oscar Piastri.
Norris, 26, sometimes races with the No. 4 on the nostril of his automobile. However the Briton gladly will settle for the consideration of donning the No. 1 subsequent season.
“It is custom, it is there for a motive,” Norris informed Sky Sports activities Information. “It is there as a result of you’ll be able to go and take a look at seize it and you may work onerous to try to get it.
Having the defending champion race with the No. 1 on their automobile was necessary till 2014 when drivers had the choice of protecting their earlier quantity. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has been the one driver to say no the choice throughout that point, selecting to stay together with his No. 44.
“All of us as a staff that will get to have a task in McLaren, or my automobile, will get to put on that with pleasure,” Norris mentioned. “It is all my mechanics, my engineers, everybody that is a part of McLaren will get to have that acknowledgment too.
“So, it is not for me, it is for them as nicely. It is their pleasure, realizing that they put quite a lot of work and energy into every part that they’ll additionally go, ‘We’re No. 1’.
“It isn’t as cool whenever you say, ‘We’re No. 4.’ So they are going to be even happier than I’m!”
Verstappen, who has raced as No. 1 since 2022, doesn’t but know if he’ll return to the No. 33 he raced with beforehand. The Dutchman mentioned he would have chosen his favourite No. 3 when he arrived in F1, however the quantity was taken on the time by Daniel Ricciardo.
The present rule states {that a} quantity will need to have been out of F1 for at the very least two years earlier than it’s utilized by one other driver. So, Verstappen would wish to hunt permission with Ricciardo having final used the quantity in 2024.
Norris entered the season finale needing to complete within the prime three within the race on the Yas Marina Circuit within the United Arab Emirates. In doing so, he completed the season with seven Grand Prix wins in 24 occasions, whereas Verstappen gained eight. Norris had 18 podium finishes and 7 poles.
He’s the primary McLaren driver to win the F1 championship since Hamilton did so together with his first title in 2008.
–Discipline Degree Media
