The Day After: Champion Norris Adopts No. 1 as F1's 2026 Future Begins

 

Well, it's now Tuesday, and at Senate Grand Prix, we are all coming back to the office. 

The champagne corks have barely been cleared from the Yas Marina paddock, yet the entire Formula 1 grid is already back on track, with some of us staying at the Yas W Hotel being woken up to the sound of F1 cars booming around the race track.

Today is the essential post-season test—the first official day of preparation for the radical 2026 regulations. 

This isn't a holiday; it's the start of the next championship fight, almost starting instantly for us at Senate GP. Our work is seamless, where seasons never seem to end, and as race fans, we miss cars on the track, so any chance to see F1 cars is a good day. "So today is a good day"

The Champion's Choice: Number One is Back

The most significant piece of news confirmed today involves our new World Champion: Lando Norris. Returning immediately to the cockpit after his title win, Lando confirmed he will switch from his customary number 4 to the Champion's No. 1 for the 2026 season.

This move is a massive statement of intent, embodying tradition and allowing the entire McLaren crew to share in the glory. As Lando gets to grips with the test agenda, the champion's number is already a symbol of the hard-fought achievement—and a potent psychological target for his rivals.

The Duel Agenda: Mule Cars and Future Stars

The day is split into two critical tests running simultaneously:

1. Pirelli Tyre Test (The Mule Cars): Teams are running highly modified "mule cars" (adapted 2025 chassis) to simulate the reduced downforce of the future 2026 regulations. The race drivers (including Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, and Hamilton) are evaluating the new, narrower 2026 tyre compounds which will be homologated soon. The level of simulation is intense: teams are running Monza-spec wings and even operating under a 300 km/h speed limit on the straights to mimic the reduced drag of the upcoming active-aero cars.
2. Young Driver Test (The Rookies): The traditional rookie test provides vital mileage to the next generation. F2 stars like Frederik Vesti (Mercedes), Dino Beganovic (Ferrari), and Pato O'Ward (McLaren) are getting invaluable running in current-spec cars. This is where the stars of 2027 and beyond are forged.

The Road Ahead: Technical Turbulence

The immediate transition was not without drama, however, as the session was briefly red-flagged after young driver Ryo Hirakawa (Haas) spun and made contact with the barriers at Turn 1. This serves as a stark reminder that even in testing, F1 remains a high-stakes, uncompromising environment.

Despite the incident, the focus remains firmly on 2026. The data gathered today on the new tyre construction is crucial, and the champion's early return shows that the pursuit of the next World Title is already fully underway.

And as always, when the lights go out and the drama unfolds, here at Senate Grand Prix, there is only one winner, and that's you, the race fans!