Lando Norris has pledged to 'get my elbows out' in search of the world championship, admitting he drove like 'an idiot' at times last year. The British star was speaking after taking his new McLaren on its first laps at Silverstone yesterday, a month before the season starts in Melbourne. Norris is aiming to go one better having lost his previous title battle against Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who clinched his fourth consecutive crown with three races remaining.
![[He has admitted he drove like 'an idiot' looking back at his last year's Formula One races]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/13/16/95180009-0-image-a-13_1739463068032.jpg)
Aware that he was seen to have lacked Verstappen’s unyielding manner in the heat of a race, Norris said: ‘I need to get my elbows out. I need to show that I’m not going to willingly give him any positions. ‘I also have to be a smart driver. You have to be to go up against Max. ‘But I look forward to it. I like having to make quick decisions. Lando Norris has pledged to 'get my elbows out' for a world championship triumph in 2025.
![[Despite claiming the first four race victories of his career in 2024, he finished 63 points behind Max Verstappen in the Dutchman's fourth successive triumph]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/13/16/95180073-0-image-a-14_1739463213695.jpg)
He has admitted he drove like 'an idiot' looking back at his last year's Formula One races. Despite claiming the first four race victories of his career in 2024, he finished 63 points behind Max Verstappen in the Dutchman's fourth successive triumph. ‘It’s always a lot harder when you’re in the car than when you re-watch it. But even when I see back some things that I did, I’m like what the hell have I done? What an idiot.
‘But at the same time, I don’t want to say that I need to prove something to him. ‘I don’t need to take any unnecessary risks. He’s quick, he’s aggressive, he’s one of the best ever, so the easy way is being quicker and staying ahead. ‘It means I want to start the season well.’. Team principal Andrea Stella declared himself happy with the new car, which he called ‘innovative’ – an ominous warning to McLaren’s rivals since the Surrey team possessed the fastest machinery for most of 2024.
