LANDO: I'M READY FOR MIND GAMES

LANDO NORRIS knows Max Verstappen will "push the boundaries" to win again this year - but insists he's ready for the dark arts of the Dutchman.

- Daniel Moxon

The Brit finished a career-best second in the standings last year but still some 63 points adrift of the Red Bull star.

Their title fight created several flashpoints including a collision in Austria which ended both their chances of victory. Then there was a skirmish in Mexico that saw Verstappen handed 20 seconds' of penalties.

Norris, 25, kept it clean despite those regular run-ins but that led to the McLaren man's critics labelling him too meek.

As he heads into this weekend's Australian Grand Prix and the new F1 championship as favourite to win both, Norris admits he "clearly wasn't ready" to beat Verstappen on track last term.