Lando Norris insisted on Friday night that he doesn’t need to ‘act like an idiot’ to beat Max Verstappen to the world championship.

The Briton, who was fastest in practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix, made the defiant statement after being asked if he is ruthless enough to cut it at the front, following four consecutive races he could have won but for mistakes by him and his McLaren team.

‘I don’t care what people say,’ said Norris, who is Verstappen’s nearest challenger, though 84 points back with half the season gone.

‘I’m a nice guy and I try to be respectful in every way I can. But that has zero relevance to what happens on track.

‘If I want, I could be a lot more of a d*** and act like an idiot, and make people think that (I am ruthless), but I don’t need to and I don’t want to.

Lando Norris insisted on Friday night that he doesn’t need to ‘act like an idiot’ to beat Max Verstappen

The Briton, who was fastest in practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix, made the defiant statement after being asked if he is ruthless enough

‘I still want to make jokes, have fun and laugh. I’m just enjoying my life and it is as simple as that.

‘When I put the helmet on, I will do what I have to do to win. I know what works for me and I will stick to that.’

He is a strong position to prevail at the Hungaroring after finishing practice more two-and-a-half tenths ahead of Verstappen, who has a major upgrade package on his Red Bull.

Norris’s fellow Brits, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, were fifth and seventh quickest during the late afternoon session, which was punctuated by a 15-minute red flag after Charles Leclerc spun his Ferrari off at 160mph. Barries damaged, man unhurt.