Ex-Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle has quipped that Lando Norris must attach “razor blades” to his elbows to boost his chances against Max Verstappen in 2025.
The McLaren driver fell short of his World Championship aspirations last season as the Dutchman came out on top for his fourth successive title with two races to go.
Following multiple clashes throughout the previous campaign, Verstappen often came out on top or hindered his title rival’s chances with his sheer aggressiveness.
A ruthless trait for sure, but one Norris wishes to possess in this upcoming season.
Speaking after the launch of the MCL39 this week at Silverstone, he affirmed his intentions to get his “elbows out” against Verstappen this season
A promise that Brundle has since reiterated to the British driver that he must carry out if he wishes to be successful in 2025.
However, the Sky Sports F1 pundit does believe the 25-year-old is ready to make the necessary steps to become a champion of the sport.
“I think Lando knows how to lead from the front now,” Brundle told Sky F1.
“I think he probably believes he can win a World Championship.
“He’ll have to get his elbows out and get some razor blades on those elbows in some wheel-to-wheel combat with Max.
“That’s clear, as everybody has to.
“That’s how Max goes racing, he’s tough, and that’s why he’s won the last four World Championships.”
Brundle expects ‘super tight’ battle for 2025 F1 title
McLaren secured its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 last season after fending off a late challenge from Ferrari.
The victory helped to heal its wounds after the disappointment of losing out to Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship.
Both Ferrari and the Woking-based squad are expected to be competitive once again in 2025, with Red Bull in the mix as it tries to deliver a fifth title for its star driver.
Even Mercedes, despite an inconsistent campaign in 2024, could join the contest as Brundle feels it will come down to which team possesses the best driver.
“I have no doubt, this is going to be a super tight, incredibly competitive,” he added.
“The regulations are very mature. There’s nowhere to go much with the cars. They’ll all tweak them here and there.
“But with this massive change coming for 2026 quite soon, the teams will want to put their budget, their resources and their manpower into the 2026 car.
“So I think they’re going to start pretty level.
“We’ve got five or six new rookies on the grid.
“I think the top four teams will be uber competitive – may the best driver win.”
READ MORE: Lando Norris vows to get his ‘elbows out’ more against Max Verstappen in F1 2025
