Steiner's U-turn: McLaren's 'Papaya Rules' Favor Max Verstappen

Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has made a significant U-turn on Max Verstappen's 2025 title prospects, now believing the Red Bull ace is very much in the hunt for a fifth consecutive world championship. Interestingly, Steiner cheekily suggests that McLaren might just be aiding Verstappen in his quest, coining the phrase 'The papaya rules are for Max.' This lighthearted jab, delivered on The Red Flags Podcast, highlights the ironic overlap between Verstappen's orange-clad fanbase and McLaren's vibrant papaya livery, playfully hinting at F1's underlying chaos.

Why it matters:

After initially doubting Verstappen's chances, Steiner's revised outlook underscores the unpredictable nature of the current F1 season. His comments, particularly the 'papaya rules' quip, inject a fresh narrative into the championship battle, suggesting that even perceived rivals could inadvertently influence the outcome. This shift in perspective from a seasoned F1 insider like Steiner emphasizes that the title fight is far from over and could involve unexpected dynamics.

The Details:

• Steiner's U-turn: Guenther Steiner, who previously doubted Verstappen's 2025 title chances, now believes he is a strong contender for a fifth championship.
• McLaren's Role: Steiner humorously suggests McLaren is Verstappen's 'best ally' in winning the championship, stating, 'The papaya rules are for Max.' This playful remark refers to McLaren's team decisions, particularly relating to driver dynamics.
• Piastri's Struggles: Steiner also critiqued Oscar Piastri's recent dip in form, especially after the Mexico City Grand Prix, suggesting a lack of team support might be impacting his confidence. He inferred that Piastri, initially performing well without pressure as the unofficial 'number two' driver, might have lost his 'mojo' due to team orders or perceived favoritism towards Lando Norris.
  • Steiner noted that Piastri's struggles in qualifying and subsequent poor starting positions, like in Mexico, make it difficult for him to recover.
• Mexico's Anomaly: Steiner cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions from the Mexico City Grand Prix's results due to its unique high-altitude conditions. He stressed that Mexico is a 'special race course' where car performance can be anomalous, making it difficult to assess true performance gains or losses for teams like McLaren and Red Bull.
  • He explained that teams often make specific cooling adjustments for Mexico, which can affect downforce, making it an unreliable indicator for overall car development or performance trends.

The Big Picture:

Steiner's analysis paints a picture of a championship battle that is far from settled. While Red Bull's dominance may have seemed to waver in recent races, especially in high-altitude conditions like Mexico, Steiner remains convinced of Verstappen's underlying strength. His remarks about McLaren's internal dynamics and how they might unintentionally benefit Verstappen highlight the complex interplay between team strategies, driver performance, and the overarching championship narrative. The 'papaya rules' could be interpreted as subtle team orders or strategic decisions that, while aimed at McLaren's own success, could have ripple effects on the wider title fight.

What's Next:

While Steiner's comments are largely speculative and humorous, they set an intriguing tone for the remainder of the season. If McLaren continues to navigate its internal driver dynamics with what Steiner perceives as 'papaya rules,' it could indeed create unforeseen advantages for Verstappen. The true test will come as F1 moves to tracks with more standard conditions, allowing for a clearer assessment of each team's genuine pace and strategic prowess. Verstappen's path to a fifth title might be influenced not just by Red Bull's performance, but also by how other top teams manage their own rivalries and aspirations.