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.

Cameron Menzies has revealed the heartbreaking loss that will drive his World Championship campaign.

A year ago at Ally Pally, Menzies broke down in tears during his defeat to Leonard Gates while his father Ricky was hospitalised.

At the same time, his uncle Gary Eagle – a decent darts player himself – was also battling serious health issues. While his father recovered in the New Year, his uncle died this month.

Menzies will carry his memory throughout the World Championship and says that Eagle would prefer him to perform at Alexandra Palace, even if it means being absent from the funeral.

The Ayrshire ace said: “My uncle was in Somerset, so we did the Players’ Championship recently and I went in to see him. And I’m glad I did because, four days later, he passed, but we knew it was coming.”

“Since Covid and stuff, he deteriorated. Diabetes and dementia and that. Every time I seen him it was getting worse and worse and I’m glad I went.

“Obviously he was bedbound and he couldn’t speak, but he gave me a wee look. Four days later he passed. I think he held on for me because I think I was the closest thing he had to a son.

“He never made Ally Pally. He went to Lakeside the first time I was there, that’s where he’s fit and healthy. Over the last couple of years, he obviously deteriorated, but life’s a bugger that way.

“I’m getting his Somerset County shirt framed and put on the wall. He was there for me when I was younger, he was there when I won my first Youth Tournament, so aye.

“The way it works out, if I win my first game, I’d miss his funeral. If I was to make it through to the second-round, my next game would be on the 22nd and that’s the same day.

“I’d want to be there, but I’d happily miss it for that and I know he would also rather that I was not at the funeral and still be in the tournament. I’m sure he’d understand because he’s a big darts man just like me.”

Lando Norris has admitted that he regrets downplaying Lewis Hamilton‘s success back in 2020.

He previously landed himself in hot water when Hamilton broke Michael Schumacher’s record for the most wins in F1 history.

In response, Norris said: “He’s in a car which should win every race, basically. He has to beat one or two other drivers, that’s it.”

Reflecting on those comments after winning the Drivers’ Championship title, the young Brit backtracked.

“I know at times I say some stupid things, and I say some things about Max, or I might have said some things at times in the past that everyone talks about, about Lewis,” he said.

“Some things I regret and I wish I could take back and never have come out my mouth.

“But I honestly believe I give more respect to anyone else than anyone else.

“I give more respect to Oscar [Piastri]. I give more respect to Max. I try and give as much respect as I can to Lewis.

“He’s a seven-time world champion. He’s the best driver – you compare him to Schumacher – the best driver that’s ever been in Formula One. I’m not even close to that. I might never be.”