Lando Norris: The Post-Season Test and the Elusive #1 Plate
In a gripping turn of events at the Formula 1 post-season test in Abu Dhabi, Lando Norris, the newly crowned champion, found himself in a curious predicament—he couldn’t flaunt the coveted #1 plate! After a nail-biting season, where Norris clinched his first F1 title by a mere two points over rival Max Verstappen, fans were eagerly anticipating his transition from the long-standing #4 to the prestigious #1. However, regulations had other plans.
Norris triumphed at the Yas Marina Circuit, with teammate Oscar Piastri trailing behind by 16 points. The thrill of victory was palpable, and Norris had his sights set on showcasing his championship status by switching to the #1 on McLaren’s mule car during his half-day Pirelli test. Unfortunately, the dream didn’t materialize. The British driver completed his morning run under the familiar #4, while Piastri got behind the wheel of the MCL39 in the afternoon.
To mark this significant milestone, Norris opted for a stunning gold helmet—an eye-catching tribute to his championship glory. Yet, the reality is stark: he must wait for the official FIA prizegiving ceremony in Uzbekistan on Friday to officially embrace his champion status. Until then, the #1 remains just out of reach.
This situation echoes the drama of 2021 when Verstappen, after winning the title, still sported the #33 during the post-race test. Formula 1’s stringent race control and timing systems require drivers to use their officially registered numbers to maintain consistency and identification throughout events. There have been rare exceptions, such as when Lewis Hamilton was allowed to don the #1 in a practice session back in 2018, but the rules are clear: you can’t change your number until the season officially concludes.
Choosing to race with the #1 plate is optional. Verstappen embraced it during his championship reign, while Hamilton opted to stick with his #44, demonstrating that pride and strategy can influence the decision. With Verstappen likely to switch to #3 next season following Daniel Ricciardo’s exit, Norris’s eagerness to take on the #1 is driven by a profound sense of team pride.
“It’s there for a reason,” Norris stated with passion in an interview with Sky Sports F1. “It’s there because you can go and try grab it, and you can work hard to try and get it. And, for one year, all of us as a team that gets to have a role in McLaren in my car, will get to wear that with pride.”
He emphasized that the honor of the #1 isn’t solely his; it’s a recognition for his entire team—mechanics, engineers, and everyone involved with McLaren. “It’s their pride. It’s knowing they put a lot of work and effort into everything that they also get to go ‘we’re number one,’” he added. “It’s not as cool when you wear number four.”
As we await the official ceremony and Norris’s transition to the #1 plate, one thing is certain: the anticipation is electric, and the future looks dazzling for the McLaren star. Stay tuned as we continue to cover the thrilling narratives of the F1 season and the champions who redefine the sport!
