Former Haas team boss Günther Steiner believes that McLaren’s notorious ‘papaya rules’ are primarily hindering the team in their title fight against Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is said to benefit from the fact that his rivals adhere to equal treatment for both drivers. According to Steiner, McLaren can only truly dominate the championship if it dares to let go of these ‘papaya rules’.
In an episode of the Red Flags Podcast, Steiner suggested that McLaren has inadvertently become Verstappen’s best ally in the hunt for the world title. “The papaya rules are there for Max,” said the former team boss. The approach of allowing both drivers to race freely, he believes, is backfiring. “By not giving one driver the lead, you get this pattern – one wins, the other finishes sixth or seventh; then the other wins, and the first finishes fifth or fourth. It’s always up and down at McLaren, while Verstappen typically finishes strong.”
Steiner also questions Norris’s form. According to the American-Italian analyst, the Brit is not yet consistent enough. “We all know that Lando Norris is not the most solid man when it comes to scoring points, right?”, he continued. “So why would he suddenly always be the best?” According to Steiner, in a title fight, it is primarily Verstappen’s calmness and maturity that make the difference. “Max rarely makes a mistake. You just know that if he doesn’t win, he’ll finish second or third. He always performs.”
Steiner saw Verstappen’s experience shine through again in Mexico. “Max knows exactly what he needs to do,” he said. “He stays cool – he didn’t take any unnecessary risks at the end of the race in Mexico. Three years ago, he probably would have pushed Charles Leclerc off the track, with all the consequences that would have entailed. But now he understands that scoring points is more important than playing all or nothing. That’s the only way to become a champion, and he’s very smart about it.” Verstappen currently needs to make up 36 World Championship points on Lando Norris, who leads the standings with a one-point lead over his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
