Lando Norris has expressed the need to be both assertive and strategic in his on-track confrontations with Max Verstappen this season. Recently, Norris took McLaren’s new MCL-39 for a spin at Silverstone, marking the team as the first to unveil their 2025 vehicle.

Norris commented, “I need to get my elbows out and demonstrate that I won’t easily concede positions. However, I also have to approach it wisely—going up against Max requires intelligence.” Last season, Norris faced Verstappen in several intense wheel-to-wheel duels, gradually improving his performance in these encounters.

The two drivers had a notable collision in Austria in June, with Norris receiving a penalty in the U.S. in October. In the subsequent race in Mexico, Norris managed to pressure Verstappen into actions that resulted in two 10-second penalties for the Dutchman.

“I don’t feel the need to prove anything to him or take reckless risks,” Norris remarked. “Defeating Max doesn’t require anything extraordinary. Sure, he’s fast and aggressive, but the simplest path to victory is to be a bit quicker and stay ahead. It’s about being smart and considering the bigger picture.”

Norris acknowledged areas for improvement but emphasized the importance of accumulating points early in the season to change the competitive landscape. Last year, he finished 52 points behind Verstappen after the latter’s strong start and concluded the season 63 points adrift as Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive championship.

Norris noted, “Competing against someone as formidable and aggressive as Max is challenging. As seen in Mexico, he’s willing to make sacrifices for the overall result, which makes overcoming a 50-point deficit incredibly tough. This year, I need to secure more points early on, ideally flipping the script.”

Looking ahead, Norris highlighted McLaren’s goal of starting the new season positively. “That could significantly influence the championship battle, though we must maintain a one-step-at-a-time mentality,” he added.

Both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri tested the new car under chilly and wet conditions at Silverstone. The vehicle featured a camouflage paint job, with the official design set to be revealed at F1’s season launch event at the O2 in London on February 18.

Norris mentioned that while it was too early to draw definitive conclusions, the car felt “normal.” He added, “This is a promising initial step, as the team has been quite innovative with various designs.” McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, stated that they aimed to elevate their performance in multiple areas, including the car’s fundamental layout.