F1 titleholder Norris: Observing the No.1 on his 2026 McLaren feels ‘surreal’
Lando Norris characterized the experience of seeing a No.1 on his new McLaren Formula 1 vehicle as “surreal” after taking to the track for the first time this year as the defending world champion on Wednesday.
McLaren participated in F1’s preseason test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on its third day, with Norris completing 77 laps in the new MCL40 and achieving the third fastest time of the day.
According to F1’s regulations, the reigning champion has the choice to change their career number to No.1 in the year following their championship victory.
Norris, who previously raced with the No.4 throughout his career, mentioned that he was still adjusting to the iconic number being linked to his name.
“I noticed it early on the timing screen and it’s still, I still find it, you know, just unbelievable,” he stated. “It’s still a remarkable thing to see, especially now.
“This is really the first occasion I get to see it on my suit, on the car, on timing screens, all of these things, you know, and it looks good.
“So still, yeah, still a surreal feeling, the entire situation of being champion, but it doesn’t alter anything apart from the fact that I’m at the top of the timing screens before we’ve even gone out because I’m the lowest number now.
“The pressure’s on, but at the same time, you know, it’s just, it’s cool. It’s great for the mechanics. It’s wonderful for them to experience that feeling and that honor, but it doesn’t change anything.
“Otherwise, it’s still hard work, a lot of effort that we need to put into everything and many laps we have to complete. So, but it’s nice to know that I have that number on.”
The introduction of new regulations in F1 for 2026 has led to preseason testing commencing a month earlier than usual, resulting in one of the shortest breaks between seasons in recent years.
Norris expressed that he would have appreciated more time to celebrate last year’s achievements, but was still keen to start the new season.
“I mean, I’m excited for everything, of course,” he added. “Do I wish I had one more month to relax and enjoy everything, take it all in? You know, it was a few weeks off. It didn’t even feel like a month off.
“It was a few weeks off just trying to comprehend what happened last year and it had become a reality, my dream. So I think I’m still even now trying to just accept it and realize that it’s happened.
“But at the same time, it’s back to work and it’s like now we have to try and do it all over again. So it makes me happy.
“It gives me good confidence coming into this season. But it’s such a different, such a big challenge with all the regulations, all the changes this year, but I feel good. I’m happy.
“Yeah, just I feel I’ve achieved something significant in my life.”
The new regulations for 2026 have resulted in a complete redesign of the cars, including new power units, reduced downforce, and smaller, lighter chassis.
This week’s test in Spain was added to the preseason schedule to enable teams to familiarize themselves with their new cars, and Norris noted that he had already observed a significant difference compared to his 2025 vehicle.
“It’s pretty different. It’s pretty different,” he remarked. “I think it’s just, it’s a bit of a step slower in terms of cornering speeds. In terms of acceleration and straight-line speed, it probably feels quicker than it did last year. You know, you reach 340 km/h, 350 km/h quite a bit faster than we did in previous years.
“So yeah, it’s a bit more of a challenge in many areas, which is a positive thing. But then you have a bit more to understand from the battery, the power unit, all of those aspects are in some ways more complicated and just different. And whenever something’s different, it always takes a bit of time to figure out the best way to approach it, to manage it, to utilize it.
“But that’s what these days are for us, are used for us for. So yeah, I think we gained a good understanding today. It’s still going to take a while.
“So yeah, nice to be back. Different feelings, of course, still feels like a McLaren, but yeah, still feels powerful. Still feels like a Formula One car, which is the most important thing.”
Oscar Piastri is scheduled to drive the MCL40 on Thursday in Spain before McLaren concludes their week’s allocation of three days of testing on Friday.
Source: espn.com
