Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers center and passionate Formula 1 fan, ignited debate on social media following the 2025 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Max Verstappen emerged victorious amid a controversial team order incident at McLaren. Embiid’s sharp remarks on X highlighted widespread fan and driver frustration over McLaren’s internal decision to swap positions late in the race, fueling discussions about fairness and the integrity of team tactics in F1.
Known for his outspoken engagement with Formula 1, Embiid has followed Verstappen’s career closely since the driver’s 2021 championship win. His enthusiasm for the sport, rooted in his childhood in Cameroon, continues to shine through as he shares candid reflections on weekends filled with racing drama and contentious steward decisions. The 2024 Austrian Grand Prix was one such occasion where Embiid faulted race officials for delayed penalties after a collision involving Verstappen and Lando Norris, underlining his unwavering support for the Dutch driver.
Controversy at Monza: McLaren’s Team Orders Stir Fan and Driver Reactions
The drama at Monza on September 7, 2025, unfolded when McLaren executed a high-profile late-race position swap between teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Following a slow pit stop for Norris, the team instructed Piastri to relinquish his track position to restore the prior order. This tactic, branded internally as “papaya rules,” sparked immediate backlash from fans, pundits, and drivers alike, who perceived it as compromising on-track competition to correct a team error.
Embiid seized the moment with a viral post on X, saying,
“These papaya rules are something else lmao….. Oscar is a better man than me.”
—Joel Embiid, NBA Player
This tweet resonated with more than 1.5 million viewers, echoing a growing sentiment that McLaren’s effort to appear fair ultimately muddied the competition. Oscar Piastri himself acknowledged the awkwardness surrounding the swap but aimed to keep perspective, stating,
“Just struggled a bit through the first part of the race. The car wasn’t exactly how I liked it. Once the tyres went away, it felt a bit better which is never a great sign. Happy with the points and I will take it.”
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren Driver
The radio communications and post-race interviews revealed how McLaren’s “papaya rules” conflicted with expectations of sporting integrity, revealing internal team pressures that overshadowed pure racing merit. Verstappen, reflecting on the incident, dismissed the terminology and distanced himself from similar tactics, remarking that he wouldn’t have done that in the same situation. His bemusement only intensified the perception that even rival champions found McLaren’s approach unusual.
Joel Embiid’s Unique Identity as an NBA Star and F1 Enthusiast
Joel Embiid has cultivated a notable presence in the F1 community, blending his life as a top basketball center with a genuine passion for racing. Unlike many cross-sport fans, Embiid’s knowledge and emotional investment stand out, engaging fans worldwide with his insights and reactions. His enthusiasm draws parallels to LeBron James’s involvement in soccer and Steph Curry’s connection to golf, but Embiid’s predilection for voicing his thoughts on high-stakes moments in Formula 1 creates a rare intersection between the NBA and motorsport cultures.
His engagement goes beyond casual fandom—he actively follows race weekends and shares real-time opinions on pivotal moments, such as Verstappen’s battles or controversial decisions by race officials and teams. During the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, Embiid openly criticized steward delays penalizing Lando Norris after a collision involving Verstappen, once again defending his favored driver in a fiercely competitive atmosphere.
Embiid’s Off-Season Recovery and the 76ers’ Evolving Roster Dynamics
Meanwhile, Embiid’s basketball career has faced uncertainties marked by injury and recovery. His prolonged absence from Philadelphia 76ers games, due to knee surgery and persistent health concerns, has placed pressure on younger teammates like Tyrese Maxey to sustain the team’s competitiveness. ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne highlighted the diligent work ethic of these rising stars:
“All the videos I’ve seen, all the word I get out of Philly is that Tyrese Maxey, and [Jared] McCain, and the younger guys like VJ Edgecombe—they’ve all been in the gym all summer long.”
—Ramona Shelburne, ESPN Insider
In contrast, Embiid’s offseason has been quieter, focusing on gradual recovery and family time in Rio de Janeiro with his wife Anne de Paula and their children. Despite the slow rehabilitation process, Embiid remains committed to returning stronger, stating during last year’s playoffs,
“It’s been tough. But I’m not a quitter.”
—Joel Embiid, NBA Player
The Sixers’ future hinges in part on Embiid’s ability to rejoin a roster increasingly shaped by youthful energy and resilience. ESPN’s assessments warn that time missed by veterans like Embiid and Paul George may challenge the team’s cohesion, intensifying the urgency for a timely comeback.
What the Future Holds for Verstappen, Embiid, and Their Respective Worlds
Joel Embiid’s vocal presence in Formula 1 discussions reflects a growing trend of athletes crossing sports boundaries through social media and fandom. His unfiltered reaction to McLaren’s “papaya rules” at the Italian GP underscores the tension between sportsmanship ideals and team strategies in racing, capturing global attention from fans and professionals alike.
For Max Verstappen, the Monza victory adds to his legacy, yet the surrounding controversy highlights ongoing challenges within team orders and race regulations. Embiid’s commentary invites fans to scrutinize these dynamics, amplifying conversations about fairness and competitive integrity.
At the same time, Embiid’s recovery journey and the evolving 76ers roster signal a period of transition and hope for Philadelphia’s basketball future. As fans eagerly await his return to the court, his dual identity as a basketball star and F1 enthusiast continues to grow, bridging distinct sporting worlds with his passionate voice.
