Lando Norris says sorry as he’s seen driving McLaren after title party | F1 | Sport

Newly-crowned champion Lando Norris wore a fitting golden helmet as he returned to the track less than 48 hours on from his Formula 1 title success. The Brit was back behind the wheel of his McLaren again on Tuesday for the official post-season test in Abu Dhabi.

He walked into the paddock wearing a dark hoodie with ‘Champion’ emblazoned across the back. The top also bore the ‘LN1’ moniker that Norris, 26, will now use as his personal branding, having dropped his number four to take the number one reserved for the title-winner next season.

But he still had the number four painted on his McLaren for one final ride yesterday morning as he completed his final duties for the season. There was one noticeable difference on track, though, as Norris wore a golden version of his usually-fluorescent yellow racing helmet to mark his achievement.

In a video message to fans, recorded as he walked through the paddock, Norris’ voice was raspy after partying hard to celebrate his title success. He said: “Hello guys – you thought you saw the last of me, and I thought this was the last of you. But it’s the final test of the year.

“I do apologise for my voice not being all there, but I’ve had a couple of very enjoyable days and nights. But we’re back in the paddock. I’m still number four officially for one final test. I’m excited to be back in the car and to get the season over and done with.”

Norris shared the McLaren car with team-mate Oscar Piastri, who he beat to the title on Sunday. Lewis Hamilton also had to delay his holiday, splitting driving duties with Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc.

But Max Verstappen, who won Sunday’s race but missed out on the title by two points, was given permission to fly home with new team-mate Isack Hadjar driving for the whole session.

Aston Martin also allowed both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll to skip the test, with reserve drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Jak Crawford getting behind the wheel instead. British teenager Arvid Lindblad will also get a chance to drive for new team Racing Bulls after his place on next year’s grid was confirmed last week.

With new car design rules coming into force next year, post-season testing was a little different to usual. Each team is running a ‘mule’ car – a modified version of their 2025 machines which provides much less downforce – to help Pirelli to test their tyres for the new regulations.

But the running was halted for more than 15 minutes after Haas reserve Ryo Hirakawa lost control and buried the back of his car in the barrier at turn one.