Norris To Use Elbows This Formula 1 Season

Lando Norris has no intention of letting Max Verstappen outsmart him in the upcoming Formula 1 season.

The McLaren driver is confident that he can do better than last year.

I have to use my elbows and show him that I’m not going to give him my position and I have to be smart too.

You have to be a smart driver to take on Max, Norris said on Thursday at Silverstone, where he drove his first laps in the new McLaren.

Norris was Verstappen’s main challenger last year. At one point, the Briton had a faster car and gained points on the world champion of Red Bull Racing.

In heated duels wheel to wheel, Verstappen usually pushed through. He eventually booked nine victories and won his fourth title.

I have to do better, nobody has to tell me that.

I often had a faster car last year, but I didn’t do certain things well, said the 25-year-old Norris in a retrospective of last season.

I simply didn’t have the level needed to race against Max.

He is fast, aggressive and one of the best attacking and defending drivers. But I feel mentally stronger. I have proven that I can beat him.

The MCL39 is the car that should bring McLaren closer to Red Bull and Verstappen this year.

Today is an important step in our fight for the 2025 world title, said team boss

Zak Brown on Thursday at the first presentation of the car.