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McLaren’s ‘Papaya Rules’ Cost Lando Norris the 2024 F1 Title, Sparks Backlash – “Fu*k off, man!!”

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
December 24, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
McLaren’s Dream Season: Piastri and Norris Lead Charge as Team Eyes Constructors’ Championship

Formula One F1 - Mexico City Grand Prix - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - October 27, 2024 McLaren's Lando Norris and McLaren's Oscar Piastri during the drivers parade ahead of the race REUTERS/Carlos Perez Gallardo

The 2024 Formula 1 season should have been McLaren’s crowning moment—a chance to dethrone Max Verstappen and reclaim glory in the Drivers’ Championship. Instead, the team became the butt of jokes, thanks to their controversial “Papaya Rules.” These team orders, designed to balance the rivalry between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, ultimately sabotaged their title campaign, leaving fans and pundits fuming.

“Papaya Rules Under Fire”

The “Papaya Rules” policy aimed to maintain harmony between Norris and Piastri, but it backfired spectacularly. Former F1 driver Tom Coronel didn’t mince words, slamming McLaren’s approach during a scathing critique:

“Papaya rules, fu** off, man!! If anything irritated me, it was those papaya rules. Get your sh** together!”

Coronel’s sentiment was echoed by Christijan Albers, who called the rules a marketing ploy that derailed McLaren’s campaign:

“When you come up with a marketing quote like that, you’d better back it up. They didn’t. They botched it.”

“Missed Opportunities in a Competitive Season”

Despite Norris delivering one of the most competitive campaigns of his career, he fell short of Verstappen by 63 points. Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas, while McLaren’s disjointed strategy left Norris without the support he needed to fully capitalize on his car’s potential.

The turning point for McLaren came at the Miami Grand Prix, where the team introduced upgrades that made the MCL38 the fastest car on the grid. From then on, McLaren dominated the Constructors’ Championship, securing their first title since 1998. However, their inability to decisively back one driver cost them the ultimate prize in the Drivers’ standings.

“What Went Wrong?”

McLaren’s refusal to prioritize Norris as their leading contender created unnecessary friction. Both Norris and Piastri showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, but the team’s commitment to equality meant critical points were lost in pivotal races.

While Norris and Piastri proved themselves capable of battling for world championships, this rivalry is expected to intensify in 2025. Without clear team orders, McLaren risks repeating the mistakes of 2024, as team principal Andrea Stella will once again face the unenviable task of balancing two potential title contenders.

“Looking Ahead to 2025”

Despite the fallout, optimism remains high at McLaren. Norris and Piastri’s performances solidified their reputations as two of the best drivers on the grid, and McLaren’s Constructors’ title proves the team has the car to compete at the top.

However, the question looms: can McLaren learn from their mistakes? Albers believes the team’s success hinges on decisive leadership:

“They need to decide who their number one is. Otherwise, it’s going to get messy again.”

As the spotlight shifts to the 2025 season, McLaren’s handling of their drivers will be under intense scrutiny. Fans will be watching closely to see if the team can overcome their internal struggles and finally deliver a Drivers’ Championship.

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