McLaren will continue to adhere to the papaya rules in 2026. Team principal Andrea Stella emphasizes: Fairness and equality remain the top priority
McLaren will continue to adhere to the controversial “papaya rules” in the 2026 Formula 1 season. This was confirmed by team boss Andrea Stella at the Autosport Awards. The internal guidelines governing the behavior of drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on the track will thus remain a central part of the team’s philosophy.
“There’s nothing in Formula 1 that you can just file away,” Stella explained. “You have to continuously evolve, review and find ways to do better.” This attitude also applies to working with the drivers. “We confirmed with Lando and Oscar after the season and continue to do so that the principles of fairness, equality and sportsmanship are the basis. That’s how we want to race at McLaren.”
The rules were a frequent topic of discussion during the past season, as McLaren was regularly in contention for victories. Fans engaged in lively debate about whether the rules were rigid or adapted to the situation. Stella emphasized that the principles reflect the culture of the team. “That’s the way we feel best represented as McLaren Racing – just like Lando and Oscar.”
At the same time, the team boss did not rule out the possibility of adjustments to the details. “If we can find a way to do the same thing more easily and streamline it, with less effort for everyone, that’s an important improvement for the future.” However, a complete departure from the principles is not up for debate. The rules were introduced in 2025 to create clear guidelines for how teammates should interact during races. Critics accused McLaren of taking the excitement out of the duel between the drivers. The team, on the other hand, argues that the rules ensure transparency and fairness.
Exactly how the guidelines will be implemented in practice remains an internal matter, however. Stella made it clear that not every step will be explained publicly in 2026 either. “We will continue to work behind the scenes and optimize our processes,” said the team boss. “But the philosophical basis remains the same.”
Rules clear, but implementation sometimes difficult
For the drivers, this means that they must continue to adhere to the agreements. Both Norris and Piastri had emphasized throughout the season that they were able to work well with the rules. At the same time, however, it also became clear that implementation in the race is not always easy.
With the confirmation of the rules, McLaren continues to focus on continuity in its driver pairing. Both Norris and Piastri have long-term contracts with the team. Stella’s clear statement shows that the team management is also committed to stability.
The new season will show how successful this approach is. It will then become clear whether McLaren can continue to compete at the top with the existing structures. In any case, the competition will be watching closely to see how the rules play out in practice.
For fans, the discussion about the papaya rules remains exciting. While some praise the team’s clear line, others criticize the rules as too rigid. McLaren, however, seems unimpressed by this debate. The team is continuing to follow the path it has chosen—and now wants to refine it further.
