Norris Clarifies McLaren's 'Papaya Rules' Amidst Monza Team Orders

Lando Norris has publicly denied the existence of McLaren's much-talked-about 'papaya rules,' clarifying that the team operates under a broader principle of 'fairness' following controversial team orders at the Italian Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

McLaren's instruction for Oscar Piastri to cede second place to Norris at Monza after a slow pit stop ignited debate about team orders and the unwritten 'papaya rules,' drawing significant criticism from fans and pundits.

The details:

• Norris's Stance: 'There are no papaya rules anymore. We’ve never had them,' Norris stated. He explained their actual guideline is a short document emphasizing 'Fairness' for both drivers.
• Team's Defense: Team Principal Andrea Stella justified the call, citing adherence to McLaren's established 'principles and racing values.' The decision aimed to correct the running order after Norris's 5.9-second pit stop, seen as 'the right thing to do' for the team.
• Pre-Agreed Protocol: Both drivers had reportedly discussed and agreed to this specific scenario beforehand. Norris confirmed the same protocol would apply if Piastri faced a similar issue.
• Piastri's View: Piastri complied, calling it 'the best decision for the long term.' He acknowledged prior discussions but felt further clarification might still be needed.

The big picture:

While McLaren CEO Zak Brown previously defined 'papaya rules' as respecting each other on track, the Monza incident highlighted the complexities of intra-team management, especially when championship aspirations are involved.