McLaren’s decision to let Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri race freely at the 2024 Italian GP has sparked widespread criticism and reignited the debate around team orders in Formula 1. As Norris battles Max Verstappen for the championship, McLaren’s failure to prioritize their lead driver at Monza might have cost them dearly in the title race.
Oscar Piastri’s bold Lap 1 overtake on Norris may have been clean, but it saw Norris drop from first to third, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc taking the win. Verstappen, struggling in sixth, offered McLaren a prime opportunity to close the championship gap—but instead of team orders to protect Norris, McLaren allowed their drivers to race under their now-controversial “papaya rules.” As a result, Norris lost crucial points, fueling criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan GP in Baku, McLaren has confirmed that they’ve re-evaluated their racing policy. Team principal Andrea Stella revealed that Norris will now receive team backing in the title fight, a move that seems long overdue.
“We’re going to bias our support toward Lando,” Stella told the media, “but without compromising our principles. The team’s interests always come first.” However, Stella was clear: McLaren won’t allow a repeat of Monza’s costly shuffle where Piastri and Norris’ battle hurt the team. “What we don’t want is entering a corner P1/P2 and leaving it P1/P3. That hurts the team.”
Norris currently sits 62 points behind Verstappen, with the 2024 F1 season heading into its final rounds. With only seven Grands Prix and three Sprint Races remaining, McLaren’s approach could make or break Norris’ slim title chances. Interestingly, Norris himself has insisted he doesn’t want Piastri to hand him victories, believing it would cheapen the authenticity of his potential first title.
As McLaren adjusts its strategy, there’s a fine line to walk between backing Norris and stifling Piastri’s ambitions. The young Australian has shown he’s ready to fight, but the new dynamic at McLaren may see him stepping aside for the greater good—at least when the win isn’t at stake.
While Norris will enjoy team orders in the short term, McLaren CEO Zak Brown made it clear the onus is on Norris to capitalize. “We’ll work as a team to help Lando,” Brown explained, “but if Max extends his lead, or Lando has a DNF, we’ll go back to letting Oscar fight for himself.”
Piastri, meanwhile, has taken the new rules in stride, showing a level of maturity that’s earned praise from Stella. Despite the tough ask of giving up potential victories, Piastri has embraced his role in the team’s championship aspirations, saying, “It’s painful, but if it’s the right thing for the team, I’ll do it.”
The true test for McLaren’s new “papaya rules” will come as the season heats up. With Verstappen vulnerable and the championship still up for grabs, McLaren will need to ensure their strategy is flawless if they hope to challenge Red Bull—and if Norris is to seize the title, he’ll need to deliver in every remaining race.
