Lando Norris has pledged to get tough and drive with his “elbows out” against Max Verstappen as the two prepare to resume their title rivalry in the new Formula 1 season.

Then there is the matter of penalty points. Verstappen currently has eight to his name - accumulate four more and he’ll serve a one-race ban. Worse still, the FIA stewards have clamped down on avoidable contact and issued several 10-second time penalties in Abu Dhabi, some harsh and some warranted.

Lando Norris has driven McLaren’s 2025 F1 car for the first time at Silverstone. McLaren unveiled their all-new MCL39 on social media after it hit the track for the first time on Thursday afternoon. Norris, who finished second in the 2024 F1 drivers’ championship, got the chance to drive it first before handing over to Oscar Piastri.

Lando Norris faces tough competition from teammate Oscar Piastri as both drivers aim for the 2025 Formula One championship, with McLaren’s new car promising an exciting season ahead.

Lando Norris won’t get any special treatment from McLaren as he bids to win his maiden F1 world title this season. The 25-year-old will head to the opening Grand Prix of 2025 in Australia next month as one of the favourites for the crown, having won four times in 2024 and finished second in the drivers’ standings to Max Verstappen.

As Lando Norris spoke about the need to “get his elbows out” against Max Verstappen this year, and not allow the Dutch driver to walk all over him, but at the same time to “play the long game” and “not to take any unnecessary risks”,

The era of Max Verstappen’s dominance in Formula 1 might be nearing its end, and Lando Norris is making bold claims about the future. With McLaren’s rapid progress, Mercedes pushing for a resurgence,