McLaren stand firm on ‘papaya rules’ as Stella defends Norris–Piastri approach for 2026
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has confirmed that the team will carry its controversial internal racing guidelines into the 2026 Formula 1 season, insisting that there is no need for change after a period of sustained success.
The so-called ‘papaya rules’ came under intense scrutiny during the 2025 campaign as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri emerged as genuine title contenders, pushing McLaren to the forefront of the championship battle. With both drivers fighting wheel-to-wheel for race wins and ultimately the drivers’ crown, several flashpoints raised questions about how freely the pair were allowed to race.
Incidents at Monza and Singapore became defining moments in the debate. While McLaren repeatedly played down the controversy, describing media reaction as exaggerated, tensions appeared to surface publicly when Piastri suggested that Norris had faced internal “consequences” after forcing his way through and making contact with his team-mate on the opening lap in Singapore.
Despite the drama, McLaren resisted imposing rigid team orders, allowing Norris and Piastri to continue racing under broadly unchanged guidelines. That decision proved decisive by the end of the season, as Norris capitalised on a late dip in form from Piastri to secure his maiden Formula 1 world championship. McLaren, meanwhile, sealed back-to-back constructors’ titles for the first time since their dominant era in 1990 and 1991.
With the sport preparing for a major regulatory overhaul in 2026, many expected McLaren to reassess its internal policies. However, Stella has made it clear that the team sees continuity—not control—as the foundation of its recent achievements.
Speaking to media ahead of the new season, Stella said McLaren would remain committed to its existing philosophy when it comes to managing driver battles.
“From the point of view of how we go racing, we will enter 2026 with continuity,” Stella explained. “We’ve spoken a lot over the past year about internal racing at McLaren, and the approach will remain the same. We will continue to race the McLaren way.”
The Italian emphasised that McLaren’s success in both 2024 and 2025 was not only down to performance on track, but also to the environment created within the team.
“If you look at what we’ve achieved, what has added extra value is the way we achieved it—through collaboration, mutual support and a strong sense of cohesion between the drivers and the team,” he said.
Stella also pointed to the attitude of Norris and Piastri as a key reason for maintaining the current framework. According to the McLaren boss, both drivers remain fully aligned with the team’s principles despite last season’s high-pressure title fight.
“I’ve just come from a meeting with Oscar, and before that I was having lunch with Lando,” Stella revealed. “I was really pleased to see how energetic, proactive and full of ideas they both were.”
Crucially, Stella stressed that the pair remain supportive of how McLaren handled racing situations during the championship battle.
“They’re also very supportive of the way we’ve gone racing in the past—the McLaren way—and that’s the perspective we’re taking into 2026,” he added.
With Norris now a world champion and Piastri still widely regarded as one of the grid’s most formidable talents, McLaren is set to enter the new era with one of the strongest driver line-ups in Formula 1. While debate over team orders is unlikely to disappear, Stella’s message is clear: as far as McLaren is concerned, the formula is working—and there is no reason to fix what isn’t broken.
