Lando Norris has signaled his intent to challenge Max Verstappen in the upcoming Formula 1 season, acknowledging the need to be aggressive yet strategic in his battles with the four-time world champion.
Speaking after McLaren unveiled their new MCL-39 at Silverstone, Norris said:
“I need to get my elbows out and show I am not going to willingly give him positions, but I also have to be a smart driver—you have to be smart to go up against Max.”
The British driver, who secured his maiden F1 victory in Miami last season, engaged in several on-track duels with Verstappen in 2024.
Their rivalry saw incidents in Austria, the United States, and Mexico, with both drivers pushing the limits of racing regulations.
Reflecting on their past encounters, Norris admitted that overcoming Verstappen requires consistency rather than risky moves.
“I don’t need to go out and prove anything to him. I don’t need to take unnecessary risk and go down trying. The easiest way is just being a bit quicker and staying ahead.”
McLaren’s Optimism for 2025
McLaren has been one of the standout teams in recent seasons, making significant strides from midfield challengers to race winners.
Under team principal Andrea Stella, they won the 2024 Constructors’ Championship—their first in 36 years.
The team has high hopes for the MCL-39, with Stella stating:
“We evaluated very carefully how much we wanted to innovate, but we went for a relatively challenging approach in terms of aerodynamic efficiency.”
Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri both tested the new car at Silverstone in wet conditions, with the official livery set to be revealed at the F1 season launch event on February 18.
A Two-Driver Battle at McLaren?
While McLaren previously indicated a willingness to back Norris in a title fight, both drivers will start the season on equal footing. Piastri, who won two races last year, is also aiming for the championship.
“We are going to be racing each other from the start. We are all starting from zero,” Piastri said. “I want to win the world championship this year, and hopefully, we have a car capable of doing that from the start.”
With Norris determined to challenge Verstappen and McLaren aiming for a strong start, the 2025 F1 season could see a fierce three-way battle at the front.
