P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Former F1 driver David Coulthard has taken aim at McLaren for a specific anomaly that lies within its frequently-debated ‘papaya rules’ principles.
Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard criticized McLaren for implementing team orders through race engineers instead of neutral figures like Team Principal or Sporting Director during the 2025 season, which saw Lando Norris winning the Drivers’ Championship.
Coulthard, who drove for McLaren between 1996 and 2004, emphasized the importance of a strong bond between drivers and engineers in facing on-track challenges together, referencing the need for mutual trust and collaboration.
During the season, McLaren faced controversies related to intra-team fairness, including incidents like collisions between drivers and a pit-stop mishap in Italy, where Piastri was asked to give up position to Norris.
Coulthard highlighted historical occurrences where team orders were communicated through race engineers, like in Ferrari’s case with Massa and Alonso in 2010, suggesting a need for clear and transparent communication within the team hierarchy.
He proposed that important strategic decisions, such as ordering drivers to hold position or not race each other, should be made by a neutral party within the team, with McLaren appointing Will Courtenay for this role.
Overall, Coulthard’s critique aimed to ensure a fair and transparent approach to internal team dynamics in high-stakes racing environments.
