McLaren CEO Zak Brown has once again confirmed that the team will not change its strategy in the drivers’ championship. Despite the threat posed by Max Verstappen – who has made a significant comeback in the last three Grands Prix compared to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris – the American is sticking to the so-called papaya rules; both drivers are free to challenge each other on the track, with all the risks that entails. May the best man win.
During the Singapore GP, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured the second constructors’ title in a row for McLaren with their third and fourth places. However, the battle in the drivers’ championship is far from over. Piastri is on track to bring the trophy to Woking for the first time since 2008, but Norris and Verstappen are hot on his heels. Many fans are wondering if McLaren, now that the constructors’ title is in the bag, will designate one driver to go all out for the championship. According to Zak Brown, this will not be the case; the papaya rules will remain in effect.
“Our strategy does not change because we have won the constructors’ title,” Brown stated. “We approach the remaining race weekends in the same way as all previous ones.” The team boss emphasized that McLaren remains ‘focused’ and above all ‘humble’, despite the success. After all, Max Verstappen is still a serious title contender. “Although we like to see the battle between our two drivers continue, Max is still in the race. We want to keep winning and fighting for titles. We are hungrier than ever.”
With six Grands Prix remaining, Oscar Piastri leads the world championship with 336 points, 22 more than teammate Lando Norris. Max Verstappen is 63 points behind the championship leader. In the remaining races, a maximum of 174 points can still be earned – enough for an exciting finale to the season.
