Brundle’s ‘Razor Blades on Elbows’ Farris Verdict Ahead of Max Verstappen Combat

The two title challengers last season made contact on multiple occasions, most notably while battling for the lead in Austria and Mexico City, along with Norris picking up a penalty for overtaking Verstappen off-track in Austin.

Brundle: Lando Norris will have to ‘get razorblades on those elbows’ against Verstappen in F1 2025

Norris spoke himself of having proven he is capable of fighting against the best Formula 1 has to offer last season, and he is looking to convert that into a strong start to the 2025 season.

Sky Sports analyst and former Formula 1 driver Brundle said the McLaren driver believes that he will be able to challenge next season and added that the reigning World Champion is a “tough” racer on track against each of his rivals.

“I think Lando knows how to lead from the front now,” Brundle told Sky Sports News. “I think he probably believes he can win a World Championship. He’ll have to get his elbows out and get some razorblades on those elbows in some wheel-to-wheel combat with Max.

“That’s clear, as everybody has to because that’s how Max goes racing. He’s tough, and that’s why he’s won the last four World Championships.”

The Challenge Ahead for Norris

Max Verstappen is known for his aggressive racing style. His ability to push his competitors to the limit—and sometimes beyond—has been a crucial factor in his dominance over the last four years. Norris, who is still seeking his first F1 victory, must not only match Verstappen’s raw speed but also his ruthless racecraft.

Overtaking Verstappen is rarely just a matter of being faster. The Dutch driver is infamous for his late braking and aggressive defense. Norris will need to find a way to match that intensity without getting penalized, a challenge easier said than done. The Austin Grand Prix in 2024 showed just how unforgiving the stewards can be when a driver strays outside track limits.

But is Norris ready for this kind of combat? He has improved his consistency over the past seasons, but going up against Verstappen is another challenge entirely. Many drivers have tried to match the Red Bull star, and few have succeeded. Will Norris be any different?

Will McLaren Be Up to the Task?

One key factor in Norris’s battle against Verstappen will be the competitiveness of McLaren’s car. The MCL38 is rumored to have one of the most balanced aerodynamics packages on the grid, but will that be enough? Red Bull has dominated F1’s current regulations, and Adrian Newey’s brilliance has kept them ahead of the competition.

McLaren, under Andrea Stella’s leadership, has made great strides. Their second-half performance in 2024 was a significant improvement, and with Oscar Piastri also showing signs of brilliance, the team is in the best position it has been in years. However, the gap to Red Bull is still significant. If Norris is going to challenge Verstappen seriously, McLaren must start the season strongly.

Norris vs. Verstappen: A Rivalry in the Making?

The dynamic between Norris and Verstappen is fascinating. Off the track, they are good friends, often seen joking around in press conferences. On the track, however, the relationship changes dramatically. Verstappen has shown no hesitation in shutting the door on rivals, even those he considers friends.

Their clashes in 2024 were just a taste of what could come in 2025. The Austria battle was a clear example of how hard they are willing to fight. Norris may need to channel his inner Fernando Alonso and adopt a more ruthless approach if he wants to come out on top.

The Psychological Battle

A key part of racing is the mental game. Verstappen has a strong, almost unbreakable mentality. He does not make many mistakes under pressure, and he rarely gets intimidated by rivals. For Norris to succeed, he must not only match Verstappen’s speed but also his mental resilience.

Being in a title fight brings a different kind of pressure. While Norris has experienced high-stakes racing before, he has never been in a season-long battle for a championship. Verstappen has gone through this multiple times, from his intense 2021 fight with Hamilton to his recent dominant seasons.

Can Norris handle the intensity of a title battle? If he cannot, Verstappen will exploit every weakness he finds.

The Wildcards: Mercedes and Ferrari

While the focus is on Norris vs. Verstappen, it would be a mistake to overlook Mercedes and Ferrari. Both teams are expected to be more competitive in 2025, and with Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari, the Scuderia will have a strong driver pairing.

Hamilton’s presence at Ferrari will add another layer of complexity to Norris’s title challenge. If Ferrari delivers a strong car, Hamilton will undoubtedly be in the mix, and with his vast experience, he could disrupt the Norris-Verstappen rivalry.

Similarly, Mercedes cannot be ruled out. The team struggled in 2023 and 2024, but they have been working aggressively on their 2025 car. If they can provide George Russell with a competitive package, he could also be a factor in the title race.

Brundle’s Final Thoughts

Brundle remains hopeful that the 2025 season will be one of the most competitive in years. With the current regulations maturing, the gaps between teams are closing. He believes that this will create one of the most tightly contested battles in recent memory.

“I have no doubt this is going to be a super tight year,” Brundle said. “It’s going to be, I think, incredibly competitive.

“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, the teams will want to put their budget, their resource, their people, their manpower, into the 2026 car.

“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, and may the best driver win.”

Conclusion

Lando Norris has the talent to challenge Max Verstappen, but whether he has the aggression, consistency, and mental toughness to sustain a season-long fight remains to be seen. Brundle’s comment about “razorblades on elbows” may have been a joke, but there is truth to it. Norris needs to toughen up, race hard, and take no prisoners if he wants to dethrone Verstappen.

The 2025 season has all the ingredients for an epic battle. With McLaren closing the gap, Ferrari reloading with Hamilton, and Mercedes desperate to get back to the front, Norris’s quest for his first title will be anything but straightforward. One thing is certain: fans are in for a thrilling season.