Steiner Mocks McLaren's 'Papaya Rules' in Team Order Jab

2 days ago7 min read

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has delivered a characteristically sharp critique of McLaren's driver management strategy, using his trademark humor to question the team's approach to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The remarks came as McLaren faces increasing scrutiny over how it handles its two competitive drivers in the tight battle for championship positions.Steiner, who previously championed Piastri's impressive rookie campaign, was asked whether the Australian should now support Norris following the British driver's move ahead in the championship standings after the Mexican Grand Prix. His response cut straight to the point with biting sarcasm.'I need to get out of here,' Steiner joked before elaborating on what he termed the 'papaya rules'—his ironic name for McLaren's apparent internal protocols. 'No, no, no.I think, let them have the papaya rules, they are very good. And Max [Verstappen] will never catch us anyway, because the championship means nothing to anyone at McLaren.Everything is good – as long as the papaya rules are in place, everything is fine. ' Beneath the humor lies a serious strategic dilemma facing McLaren and other top teams: how to balance two elite drivers without compromising championship ambitions.The team must decide whether to prioritize Norris, their established star currently leading their points tally, or maintain strict equality with Piastri, whose remarkable debut season suggests future championship potential. Steiner's comments highlight the delicate balancing act in modern Formula 1, where the fight for constructor positions involves millions in prize money and significant prestige.His 'papaya rules' quip subtly questions whether McLaren's approach lacks the decisive leadership needed in the sport's high-stakes environment. As the season progresses toward its conclusion, the effectiveness of McLaren's driver strategy will become clear—potentially proving whether Steiner's humorous observation was merely a joke or a prescient critique of team management in contemporary F1.

#Formula 1

#McLaren

#Lando Norris

#Oscar Piastri

#team orders

#Guenther Steiner

#featured

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