McLaren’s Bold Strategy: Zak Brown Confirms ‘Papaya Rules’ for F1 2026 Season!
In a thrilling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, has publicly confirmed the retention of the controversial ‘papaya rules’ for the upcoming 2026 season. This announcement comes on the heels of an electrifying season where McLaren clinched its first drivers’ and constructors’ championship double since 1998, marking a dramatic resurgence for the iconic team.
The 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi was a nail-biter, with Lando Norris narrowly defeating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by a mere two points to become the 11th British world champion. This victory not only catapults Norris into the elite ranks of F1 champions but also makes him the first McLaren driver to claim the title since the legendary Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
Under the ‘papaya rules’—a term that has become synonymous with fairness and equality—McLaren opted for a policy of total impartiality between its two star drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri. Despite both drivers occasionally holding significant leads in the points standings, the team refrained from favoring one over the other. This strategy was met with skepticism, especially after a critical moment in the Qatar race where both drivers missed a golden opportunity to pit under a safety car, ultimately finishing second and fourth while Verstappen soared to victory.
Speaking at the FIA’s prestigious prize-giving gala, an elated Zak Brown expressed his pride in the team’s performance, emphasizing that the commitment to fairness among drivers was pivotal to their success. “Fantastic season! All the men and women at McLaren have done an unbelievable job, led by our two awesome drivers. To go into the final race with two drivers fighting for the world championship, when everyone said that couldn’t be done, I’m just very proud of how McLaren went racing and that’s exactly what we plan to do next year,” Brown stated with conviction.
Adding to this, McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, highlighted the crucial role that Norris and Piastri played in the team’s championship triumph. “The drivers are those who do the job. They are the ones that deliver the results, the points, the victories, the podiums, which ultimately made us the constructors’ champions,” Stella remarked, praising the exceptional conduct of both drivers. “We go racing with equality and fairness, so thank you to Lando and Oscar.”
As the F1 world gears up for the 2026 season, the anticipation surrounding McLaren’s strategy intensifies. Will the ‘papaya rules’ continue to yield success, or will the pressure of competition force the team to reconsider this bold approach? One thing is for sure: with the stakes higher than ever, all eyes will be on McLaren as they aim to defend their hard-won titles and solidify their place at the pinnacle of Formula 1 racing!









