McLaren is reportedly considering making Oscar Piastri their leading driver over Lando Norris as the 2025 Formula 1 season intensifies. This change could occur if Max Verstappen closes the points gap to the two McLaren championship contenders, potentially prompting the team to back Piastri more strongly.
Both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have been in close competition throughout the season, separated by only 25 points after 17 races and three sprint events, keeping the championship battle wide open. However, Verstappen’s recent consecutive wins in Italy and Azerbaijan have renewed his threat to their title hopes.
Current Championship Standings and Rising Threat from Verstappen
Max Verstappen has re-entered contention in the Drivers’ Championship, sitting third behind Piastri and Norris with 255 points. He trails Piastri by 69 points and Norris by 44, having secured four race victories so far. Meanwhile, Piastri has won seven races, and Norris has claimed five. Verstappen’s strong performances, including capturing pole positions followed by race wins in recent weekends, have intensified the pressure on the McLaren drivers.
Guenther Steiner, former F1 team principal, highlighted that McLaren might need to shift focus and prioritize one driver to counter Verstappen’s challenge effectively. Speaking on the Red Flags Podcast about internal team orders, Steiner commented that prioritizing the driver who is ahead in the championship could be a strategic necessity. He said,
“I think they should and they will because in the end to win a championship, the driver in front is gonna have that advantage because he’s in front, he’s better,” Steiner said, speaking of McLaren should prioritize the driver who will be in front.
“I’m pretty sure if Max can show in Singapore that he’s a threat by winning the race, or you know by getting close to them, finishing second, I think they will make the call pretty quick,” he further added.
Such a decision would mean Norris potentially taking a secondary role in team strategy, especially if Verstappen continues to close the points gap in the coming races.
Lando Norris Denies Existence of Team-Order ‘Papaya Rules’
Amid speculation about internal team orders favoring one McLaren driver, Lando Norris has dismissed the idea that any such formal directive, commonly called the ‘Papaya Rules,’ exists. When asked about this commonly discussed strategy, Norris told DAZN,
“There are no papaya rules anymore,” Norris told DAZN. “We’ve never had them.
“It feels like a long time, even if it’s short, but it’s something outside my control. I can’t do anything about it. It’s not what I want nor what the team wants. It makes things complicated, and complicated the positions,” he further added.
The so-called ‘Papaya Rules’ had been rumored to require one driver to yield positions, podium finishes, or race wins to benefit the team’s overall standing. Norris’ remarks indicate that McLaren denies such an explicit policy currently being in place.
Implications for McLaren’s Championship Pursuit
The potential shift to prioritize Oscar Piastri reflects McLaren’s strategic response to the mounting threat from Red Bull and Max Verstappen. With the championship battle tightening, McLaren’s management, including Zak Brown, may need to make decisive team orders to optimize their chances. Ensuring Piastri holds the advantage could be crucial if he proves to be the more consistent front-runner in upcoming races.
This change may significantly impact Lando Norris’s role in the team and how both drivers approach the remaining season. The dynamics between Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen will likely shape the title fight as the calendar progresses, with team decisions playing a pivotal role in the outcome.
