The controversial ‘papaya rules’ of McLaren are causing quite a stir. During the last race weekend in Italy, the Brits raised eyebrows when they asked Oscar Piastri to give up his second place to Lando Norris. Why? Because Norris had a bad pit stop. Experts predict that Piastri will be a less obedient team player in the future. For instance, he could pretend his onboard radio is broken in Abu Dhabi.
Lando Norris was ahead of his teammate and title rival in Monza. However, after a slow pit stop, he lost his second place to Piastri. McLaren deemed this unfair and asked the Australian to let his teammate pass. Initially, Piastri responded that slow pit stops are ‘part of racing’, but eventually, he agreed to the team orders. It cost him three World Championship points and a larger lead in the drivers’ championship. During a press conference leading up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he was asked about the incident again.
“I think we are well aligned and ultimately I respect the team’s decisions,” Piastri said. “I trust they will do their best to make the right choices. Ultimately, I deserved to finish third in Monza,” he added. “That’s the most important thing I took away. I just wasn’t fast enough to claim second place.”
Maintaining Peace
Experts, however, anticipate that Piastri will not be handing out any more gifts during the season finale in Abu Dhabi. In an episode of Sky Sports, former driver Karun Chandhok explained that Oscar primarily wanted to ‘maintain peace’ with the remaining eight races in mind. When the title is truly at stake, it’s every man for himself. “I am truly convinced that Piastri would say in Abu Dhabi: ‘Sorry, my radio is broken’. He is not going to give up his spot. Why would he?” Chandhok stated.
“It’s clear that the McLaren drivers have taken a diplomatic route for Baku,” he continued. “They keep dodging the right answer. But there is simply no chance that a driver will give up his position now, regardless of the race. Piastri did it now because they still have eight weekends to work together and want to maintain peace, even with the coming years in mind. But when it comes to the title, there is no chance they will let each other pass.”
