US EditionAll Change for F1 - but McLaren Stick with Papaya Rules
McLaren will simplify its 'Papaya Rules' for drivers Norris and Piastri in 2026 after criticisms of bias in 2025, reaffirming fairness amid a major regulatory reset.
- On Wednesday at McLaren's Woking headquarters, Team principal Andrea Stella said McLaren has streamlined the rules of engagement between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for 2026 after winter talks, adding, `We will enter 2026 with continuity.`
- With both chassis and power units updated, the Formula 1 2026 regulations overhaul reshapes car design and McLaren Racing said built-in advantages are gone, creating a level baseline.
- After the 2025 season McLaren carried out end-of-season reviews that addressed criticism over alleged interference in the Norris–Piastri title duel, including the Italian Grand Prix pit-stop incident.
- On Jan. 26 McLaren Racing will reveal its 2026 car in a testing livery, debut it at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Jan. 27 or 28, and launch the race livery on Feb. 9 in Bahrain.
- Amid the regulations reset, Andrea Stella said McLaren Racing will not carry being champions into 2026 and that tools will stretch differently, so the team must adapt while aiming for similar results.
15 Articles
15 Articles
The McLaren, world champion pilots and builders, starts from scratch in 2026 with the MCL40: "Changing the rules but we are the same winning group, Norris and free plates to fight. The shakedown in Barcelona
Andrea Stella confirmed that McLaren F1 would seek to make the management of the internal competition between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri "simpler" in the Formula 1 season 2026, without denying the principles that guided the team in its recent successes. Last season, Norris won McLaren's first driver's title since 2008 after an intense duel with his teammate Piastri. But the two men almost lost everything when Max Verstappen, at the (...)
The Papaya Rules will also accompany McLaren in 2026 through the Formula One season. Team leader Andrea Stella explains: Racing principles are maintained, but he promises simplifications.
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