P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren explain their stance on ‘Papaya Rules’ for the forthcoming F1 season.
McLaren has recently reiterated and solidified their strategy for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s racing approach in the 2026 Formula 1 season. The handling of team orders by McLaren in the 2025 season was extensively discussed as both drivers contended for the championship. Despite the freedom given to the drivers to race each other, the reluctance to favor one driver led to tension as Max Verstappen challenged until the end. Ultimately, Norris claimed the championship by a narrow margin over Verstappen and Piastri. McLaren faced scrutiny for decisions like the Monza driver swap but will uphold their fair and equitable treatment policy in 2026. The team’s Sports Director, Andrea Stella, emphasized the importance of values such as fairness, integrity, equal opportunities, and sportsmanship in their approach. McLaren aims to fine-tune their operations to simplify internal competition and continue the collaborative success seen in recent years.
