Lando Norris returned to trace for the primary time as F1 world champion to spherical off his standout yr on the ultimate day of 2025 operating for the grid on the post-season Abu Dhabi check.
Two days after changing into world champion by ending third within the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris – sporting a particular gold helmet crash for the event – returned to his title-winning MCL39 on the Yas Marina Circuit as all 10 groups hit the observe with two vehicles.
Norris was nonetheless operating together with his regular career-number 4 on his automobile’s nosecone, with the primary that’s reserved for the reigning world champion – which Norris confirmed to Sky Sports activities Information on Monday he’ll use in 2026 – set to characteristic from pre-season testing on the finish of January.
Norris was one of many 15 present race drivers in motion testing 2026 Pirelli tyres in 2025 mule vehicles forward of F1’s main guidelines overhaul for subsequent yr which options important modifications to chassis and aerodynamics, along with revised energy items.
Norris ran within the morning earlier than team-mate Oscar Piastri, who completed 13 factors behind the Briton within the standings, taking on the automobile within the afternoon.
A last run-out with #4 for a minimum of the subsequent 12 months for Lando Norris
All 10 groups had to make use of their two race vehicles on the single-day check.
One automobile needs to be pushed by an skilled driver for 2026 tyre duties, whereas the opposite one with fewer than three grands prix begins in designated young-driver operating.
Underlining that preparations for 2026 have began already regardless of the outdated season barely having completed, Purple Bull’s two groups every ran their respective new drivers for subsequent season on Tuesday.
Isack Hadjar was within the senior Purple Bull automobile, with British teenager Arvid Lindblad within the Racing Bulls forward of his maiden F1 marketing campaign as an 18-year-old.
Isack Hadjar’s journey on the Purple Bull senior crew begins right here
Arvid Lindblad’s preparations for 2026 are underneath approach at Racing Bulls
Like McLaren, Ferrari opted to separate their 2026 tyre operating between race drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, with the latter having promised to “completely unplug from the matrix” over F1’s brief winter as soon as his post-season duties are accomplished following his disappointing first marketing campaign in crimson.
Leclerc accomplished the morning operating earlier than Hamilton took over, at a sometimes sun-kissed Yas Marina Circuit
Mercedes additionally used each race drivers, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, to separate 2026 work together with Williams (Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz), Haas (Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman) and Sauber (Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto).
Former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne carried out Pirelli duties for Aston Martin, the place he’s now a check and reserve. Jak Crawford returned to their different automobile with the American one in every of plenty of younger drivers on observe who had additionally run in first F1 observe in Abu Dhabi final Friday.
Watch each race of the 2026 F1 season stay on Sky Sports activities, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
