Norris, Piastri Skip Holidays for Abu Dhabi Post-Season Tests
Champion-elect Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri return to cockpits immediately after Abu Dhabi GP while Verstappen and Alonso skip testing. Teams use current cars for young driver evaluations and modified 'mule' vehicles for 2026 tire development, highlighting F1's relentless off-season preparation cycle.
World champion-elect Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri will trade holiday plans for steering wheels at Yas Marina this week, joining multiple teams in mandatory post-season testing just days after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale. While Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso skip the sessions, Ferrari fields both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as teams balance 2025 car evaluations with critical development work for next year's regulations.
Why it matters:
These tests represent F1's immediate pivot from championship celebrations to 2026 preparation, with tire development taking priority over driver evaluations. The data gathered during this window directly influences teams' understanding of Pirelli's new compounds ahead of December's homologation deadline - a crucial factor in early-season performance when every millisecond counts.
The details:
- Dual testing purpose: The Pirelli Tyre Test uses modified 'mule' cars simulating 2026 specifications to evaluate next year's rubber, while the Young Driver Test gives rookies seat time in current-spec 2025 machinery
- Notable participants:
- McLaren fields both race drivers (Norris/Piastri) in tire testing plus IndyCar's Pato O'Ward in young driver sessions
- Ferrari deploys its full senior lineup (Hamilton/Leclerc) for tire development
- Red Bull fields junior Ayumu Iwasa while Verstappen rests after clinching fourth title
- Strategic absences: Verstappen skips testing to focus on 2026 car development, while Alonso's absence allows Stoffel Vandoorne to drive Aston Martin's chassis
- Technical significance: The 'mule' cars feature chassis adapted to mimic 2026 weight distribution and aerodynamic loads, providing Pirelli with vital data before compounds are frozen
What's next:
All tire data must be finalized by December 15th homologation deadline, making this testing window critical for teams' winter development programs. The insights gained will directly shape early-2026 strategies as:
- Teams like McLaren leverage Norris' immediate feedback to refine their 2026 concept
- Ferrari accelerates integration work between Hamilton's experience and new technical direction
- Young drivers like Alpine's Kush Maini use this opportunity to press for future race seats
This compressed testing schedule underscores F1's evolving calendar pressures - where championship celebrations now immediately collide with next season's groundwork. While Verstappen enjoys rare downtime, most drivers face the reality that in modern F1, the moment one season ends, the next begins.