P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Norris given first test as F1 champion… against his McLaren boss
Newly-crowned F1 champion Lando Norris has returned to the race track to compete against McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown following his victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris successfully held off challenges from Max Verstappen and team-mate Oscar Piastri to claim the drivers’ championship.
After his triumph, Norris is currently enjoying a well-deserved break before the 2026 season commences, with pre-season testing expected to start as early as late January. Before the holidays, he participated in the DeWalt Karting challenge, a sponsor event organized by McLaren Racing.
During the challenge against Brown, Norris showcased his skills in various activities such as karting slalom, pit stops, and hot laps in karts created by DeWalt and eBay. Ultimately, Norris emerged victorious, securing another champion title and bragging rights over his boss.
Looking ahead, the 2026 F1 season is set to kick off with testing sessions in January at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, followed by additional tests in Bahrain in February. The official start of the new season will be marked by the Australian Grand Prix weekend beginning on March 6. 2026 will feature a record 24 races, intensifying concerns among drivers about the demanding travel and race schedule.
