Lando Norris has declared he needs to "get his elbows out" against Max Verstappen whilst maintaining a smart racing approach as he targets the 2025 Formula 1 title.
The McLaren driver, who finished behind Verstappen in last year's championship battle, spoke after testing the team's new MCL39 at Silverstone on Thursday.
"I need to get my elbows out and show I am not willing to give him any positions," Norris said.
"But I also have to be a smart driver. You have to be smart to go up against Max."
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are expected to tussle for the Formula One title
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The 25-year-old Briton acknowledged that while aggression is important, calculated racing will be key to challenging the four-time world champion.
"I don't think you have to do anything special to try and beat Max," Norris added.
"He is quick, aggressive and one of the best ever but the easiest way of beating him is just by being quicker than him and staying ahead."
Norris emphasised that building an early points advantage will be crucial in 2025, after falling short last season despite having "a better car for a lot of the races."
The British driver found himself 53 points behind Verstappen after just five rounds in 2024, a deficit that proved insurmountable.
"The main thing that's going to change this year is we need more points at the beginning and that will change the fight ahead," Norris said.
He highlighted how Verstappen's aggressive approach made recovering from large points deficits particularly challenging.
"When that's the mentality of a driver, whether it is Max or anyone else, it is very difficult to get on top in the championship when you are behind," he explained.
"There was almost no way I could have come back from that deficit."
The rivalry between Norris and Verstappen produced several dramatic moments during the 2024 season, including a significant crash in Austria last June.
The pair's battles intensified as the season progressed, with Norris receiving a penalty in the United States Grand Prix in October.
Lando Norris has been tipped to beat Max Verstappen this season
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The tension reached its peak in Mexico, where Verstappen was handed two 10-second penalties for driving Norris off the road.
"In Mexico, he was ready to sacrifice himself for the overall outcome," Norris said, reflecting on their clashes.
Looking back at some of his own racing decisions, Norris admitted: "When I saw some of the things I did last year, I was like, 'what the hell have I done that for? And what an idiot.'"
These incidents highlighted the growing intensity of their championship battle, which ultimately saw Verstappen claim his fourth consecutive title.
Looking ahead to 2025, Norris emphasised the importance of balancing aggression with strategic racing.
"I don't need to go out and prove anything to him. I don't need to take unnecessary risks," the McLaren driver stated.
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Norris believes the dynamic could shift dramatically if the points situation is reversed this season.
"It will be a different mentality for Max if he is 50 points behind in the championship, versus being 50 ahead," he noted.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expressed confidence in Norris's development, noting his rapid growth through last season.
"I saw Lando growing through the season at a very fast rate," Stella said. "He was already an incredible driver and he showed it immediately."
The 24-round season begins in Melbourne on March 16, with Norris installed as the bookmakers' favourite for the title.
