World champion Lando Norris picks #1 for 2026 McLaren – emotional reason revealed. After winning his first F1 World Championship, Lando Norris reveals he will race with number 1 in 2026.

F1 | Lando Norris chooses his number for 2026: a romantic reason

Lando Norris has revealed which number he will race with in 2026 following his first World Championship victory at the dramatic Abu Dhabi finale. After securing his maiden title, fans wondered whether he would leave the #4 behind to take the #1, or continue with the number that had brought him luck throughout his career so far.

Lando Norris makes his decision

The answer came in the hours following the checkered flag at Yas Marina, which concluded one of the most fiercely contested seasons in recent years. “It’s a tradition; it exists for a reason,” Lando Norris told Sky Sports News when discussing the number 1. “It’s there because you can aim to win it and work hard to get it. All of us, as part of the McLaren team, or my car, will wear it with pride. All my mechanics, engineers, everyone at McLaren will share that recognition too.”

The new World Champion emphasized that the number 1 represents more than a personal milestone—it’s a shared achievement. “So it’s not just for me, it’s also for them. It’s their pride, knowing they put so much work and effort into all of this and can say ‘we are number one.’ It’s not quite as cool when you say ‘we’re number four,’ so they’ll probably be even happier than me!”

A symbol of team spirit

Lando Norris’ gesture perfectly embodies the team spirit that guided McLaren through their triumphant season. In an era when many drivers choose to retain their permanent numbers, the British driver has reaffirmed the symbolic value of the number 1, turning it into a collective emblem rather than an individual one.

The 2026 Formula 1 season promises to be special—not just for Lando Norris, but for the entire team, who can finally claim their place as a benchmark within the paddock. The number 1 on his car will be a tangible symbol of a dream turned into reality, representing both personal glory and a shared triumph with McLaren.

Expect the iconic black-and-white #1 to debut on the 2026 car at its launch in January, then proudly lead the field away when the lights go out in Melbourne. For Lando Norris and McLaren, the message will be crystal clear: we earned this, together.