McLaren to review rules of engagement after Norris-Piastri Monza clash

McLaren will review its rules of engagement – previously known as the papaya rules – after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri clashed at the Italian Grand Prix. Norris put two wheels on the grass to avoid contact, an incident he initially called dangerous before backtracking.

Why it matters:

The clash highlights the risk of letting title-contending drivers race each other. With Verstappen in the mix, lost time could be costly. The review may lead to stricter limits, revisiting last season's 'papaya rules' controversy.

The details:

• On the penultimate lap, Piastri defended hard into Turn 4, forcing Norris onto the grass. Norris radioed that Piastri had "pushed me off".
• Norris later said "what he did was fair" and called it a "good battle".
• Team boss Andrea Stella said the episode was "more benign" than it looked, and the team let them race because both cars were on the same tyres and same car.
• Stella added they'll review whether there was a better way to fight Verstappen.
• McLaren had already stopped publicly branding its approach as 'papaya rules' after Piastri was overtaken by Norris and Verstappen in last season's standings.

What's next:

McLaren will review ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix at Madring, considering whether to intervene in future intra-team fights. The outcome could shape how it manages its title-contending drivers, with Norris and Piastri separated by less than two-tenths at Monza.