Lando Norris returned to the track for the first time as F1 world champion, capping off an outstanding year by running for the grid at the post-season Abu Dhabi test on the final day of 2025.
Two days after becoming world champion with a third-place finish in the final race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris, wearing a special gold crash helmet for the occasion, returned to the title-winning MCL39 at the Yas Marina circuit, where all 10 teams took to the track with two cars.
Norris still drives with his usual career number 4 on the nose cone of his car, and the reigning world champion’s number 1, which he confirmed to Sky Sports News on Monday that he would use in 2026, was due to be used from pre-season testing at the end of January.
Norris was one of 14 active race drivers testing 2026 Pirelli tires in a modified 2025 mule car, which features a revised power unit as well as significant changes to the chassis and aerodynamics, ahead of F1’s major rule review for next year.
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Sky Sports’ Craig Slater talks about newly crowned world champion Lando Norris after winning the title in 2025.
Norris ran in the morning and took over the car in the afternoon, with teammate Oscar Piastri finishing 13 points behind the Briton in the standings.
Norris, who completed 71 laps, said, “It was great to be back in the championship-winning car one last time this year.”
“We have successfully completed Pirelli’s test program and provided valuable feedback to ensure we are as ready as possible for 2026. Thank you everyone for your work this year. It’s time to rest before we set off again.”
Norris takes to the track for the last time in this year’s title-winning McLaren and evaluates the new 2026 Pirelli
This will be Lando Norris’ final run-out at No. 4 for at least the next 12 months.
All 10 teams were required to use two race cars in the one-day test.
One car will have to be driven by an experienced driver for the 2026 tire assignment, while the other car with less than three Grands Prix starts will be run by a nominated young driver.
Red Bull’s two teams each fielded new drivers for next season on Tuesday, underscoring that preparations for 2026 have already begun despite the old season having barely ended.
Isaac Hajar was in the Red Bull senior car, while British teenager Arvid Lindblad was with the Racing Bulls ahead of his first F1 campaign at the age of 18.
Isaac Hajar’s adventure with the Red Bull Senior Team begins here
Arvid Lindblad’s preparations for 2026 are underway at Racing Bulls
Like McLaren, Ferrari has opted to split its 2026 tires between race drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, with the latter promising to “take a complete break from the Matrix” during F1’s short winter once he finishes his post-season duties following a disappointing first season in red.
Leclerc completed his morning run at the usual sun-drenched Yas Marina circuit before Hamilton took over.
Williams (Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz), Haas (Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman) and Sauber (Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortleto) also used both race drivers, and Kimi Antonelli was in a Mercedes mule car all day.
Former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne has completed Pirelli duties at Aston Martin and is currently test and reserve. Jack Crawford was one of a number of young drivers who were also driving in their first F1 practice in Abu Dhabi last Friday, returning to the other car with the American drivers on track.
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