McLaren secured the Constructors' Championship for the first time since 1998 after a decades-long championship drought during the 2024 Formula One season.
However, on the championship side of the driver, Randorris lacked in pursuit of Max Burstappen, scoring 63 points for Red Bull drivers. Their title fight included several track collisions, including incidents at the Austrian Grand Prix, the US Grand Prix and the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Talk to Sky Sports In a filming session for McLaren's 2025 challenger, MCL39, on the historic Silverstone Circuit, Norris shared in 2025 that he is looking at the first driver championship.
It starts with a better start to the season.
“So what's the main thing that changes this year? I need more points from the start and hopefully it's the other way around,” Norris said.
“Being in his position can always be seen as a vulnerable position. I'm like a chaser, and the guy who tries to attack can also be seen as positive and negative,” McLaren driver said. added.
“But because of how he drives, the risks he takes and the aggression he has, there were too many scenarios of recreating Mexico or replicating it red, so from the deficit I had. There were few ways we could come back, bullring, such things, we were both in the way. It probably benefited him more than I did.”
Norris also acknowledged that the subsequent Verstappen in the ranking gave Red Bull drivers the advantages of not only points but also on the track.
“I think it came from the deficit of the points I have. Most of the time, we were faster, I had a better car for a lot of races, something like that, but I'm happy to admit it. You can do that. I just didn't do enough work,” Norris said.
“I'm simply not at the level that's needed to compete with Max. But when we're talking about it, we're probably the most difficult offensive defense guy you can ever go up. You're probably talking about playing against one of them.
“I don't want to experience all of these things again, as we saw in Mexico, but as I saw in Mexico, I was very happy to sacrificed for the overall outcome,” Norris said. continued.
“And when it's the driver mentality, whether it's the biggest or the driver, it's 50 or 40 points behind in the championship, so it's not going to win, so it's very difficult It's something. myself.”
The McLaren driver's comments reflect what he had to say in the aftermath of the US Grand Prix last fall. In that race, Norris was hit by a penalty after one of many on-track scraps with Verstappen, and after the race he was looking for answers.
“The problem is Max, you have to commit, but people don't understand that. With Max, you can't go half-heartedly,” Norris told the media. SB Nationright after last year's US Grand Prix.
“I think Max drove very well. It's very difficult to do what we're doing.”
Another change Norris is about to make this year? He will “put his elbows out” this season with Verstappen.
However, his approach requires a balance in his overview of the McLaren driver.
“I need to put my elbow out and I need to show him that I am willing to position him, not giving him anything like that. But I also have to be a smart driver. You have to be a smart driver to play Max. I saw it last year,” Norris said.
“looking forward to it [the battles with Verstappen]. I love the moments when you have to make those quick decisions. It's always much more difficult when you're in a car than when you're rewatching it,” Norris added. “Even if I see some of the things I'm doing, I'm like, 'What the heck did I do? What a stupid thing.”
“But at the same time, I want to go out and say that I don't need to prove anything to him. I don't have to take unnecessary risks and don't necessarily try them. I focus on myself. I'm continuing to do that,” Norris continued.
What do you need to defeat Verstappen?
“I think we have to do something special to try and beat Max. He's fast, aggressive and one of the best ever. The easy way is to go outside and get a little bit more than he does. It's fast and moving forward,” Norris said. “That's the obvious plan. You just have to be smart. That's the answer to everything.
“You have to be smart, you have to place your cars well and think about the long game at times.”
