McLaren’s team will continue to adhere to the ‘papaya rules’ in 2026, confirms CEO Zak Brown. The British racing team’s rules were a popular topic of discussion in 2025, especially after the team in Monza used team orders to make way for Lando Norris after a slow pit stop by Oscar Piastri. While McLaren certainly hopes to learn from past mistakes, ‘the way we race will not change’, says Brown.
The so-called ‘papaya rules’ of McLaren caused a lot of discussion last year. The racing team hoped to give drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri equal opportunities to fight for the world title with these rules. However, McLaren’s approach came under increasing pressure, especially when Max Verstappen got closer to the McLaren duo in the championship during the second half of the season. In the end, Norris was able to secure the title with a minimal difference of two World Championship points.
‘Papaya rules’ remain
Although it remains to be seen whether McLaren will be the dominant team again in 2026, CEO Zak Brown confirms that the racing team will continue to adhere to the ‘papaya rules’. “We are committed to giving both drivers equal opportunities to win the world championship,” Brown told the media in Abu Dhabi when asked if McLaren’s approach had paid off.”
“I believe that even if you win on a Monday, you always discuss what you could have done differently or better. We are constantly evolving as a racing team, but the fundamental principle of giving both drivers equal opportunities to win will not change,” confirmed the American CEO, affirming that the ‘papaya rules’ will remain.
However, according to Brown, there is always room for improvement. “I think that’s the nature of a Formula 1 team. Always evaluating and asking yourself: ‘What could we have done differently? What could we have done better?’. Of course, you would wish that you hadn’t made any mistakes, but that’s just not realistic. I’ve never seen a person or team in any sport have a perfect season. We are no different, but fundamentally, the way we race will not change.”
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