Lando Norris vows to get 'elbows out' in battles against Max Verstappen

Lando Norris has warned Max Verstappen he is ready to get his "elbows out" after admitting he was made to look like an "idiot" during their championship battle last year.

Norris, 25, fell short in his quest to take his maiden crown after Red Bull's Verstappen saw off his challenge to land his fourth title in a row with three rounds remaining.

Norris and Verstappen clashed on track on multiple occasions as the latter guarded the championship lead he established after winning seven of the opening 10 races.

But speaking at the launch of the McLaren he hopes will propel him to title glory, Norris said: "I need to get my elbows out (against Verstappen) and show I am not willing to give him any positions. I also have to be a smart driver. You have to be smart to go up against Max.

"It is always a lot harder when you are in the car, rather than when you rewatch it, and 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.'

"But at the same time, I don't need to go out and prove something to him. I don't need to take any unnecessary risks. I don't think you have to do anything special to try and beat Max. 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' McLaren team started last season slowly before an upgrade at the fifth round in Miami radically reversed their fortunes and allowed the him to take his first win. By that stage, Norris was already 53 points behind Verstappen.

Norris attempted to claw back the deficit as Red Bull's supremacy vanished and McLaren emerged with the best package on the grid. But his bid for the title ran out of steam following mistakes by both driver