In a dramatic twist to the 2025 Formula One season, McLaren has announced it would rather lose the drivers’ championship to Max Verstappen than enforce team orders to favor either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri. This decision comes as the McLaren drivers find themselves in a fierce battle for the title, with Norris recently reclaiming the lead in Mexico City by a mere point over Piastri.
The championship race has been further complicated by Verstappen’s late surge, aided by an upgraded Red Bull Racing car. The defending champion has impressively cut his deficit from 104 points post-Dutch Grand Prix to just 36 points with four rounds remaining. If his current form continues, Verstappen could secure his fifth consecutive championship in Abu Dhabi.
Historical Parallels and Strategic Decisions
The situation bears a striking resemblance to the 2007 season when McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso ended the year tied on points after a bitter internal struggle, allowing Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen to snatch the title in Brazil. McLaren’s management, acutely aware of this historical precedent, remains steadfast in their commitment to fair competition within the team.
Speaking on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, McLaren CEO Zak Brown emphasized the team’s philosophy, stating,
“We’re well aware of 2007. I’d rather go, ‘We did the best we can and our drivers tied on points and the other guy beat us by one’ than the alternative, which is telling one of our drivers right now, when they’re one point away from each other, ‘I know you have a dream to win the world championship, but we flipped a coin and you don’t get to do it this year’. Forget it. That’s not how we go racing.”
McLaren’s Internal Dynamics and Public Perception
Despite the external pressure, McLaren maintains that its internal policies, often referred to as the ‘papaya rules’, are essential for ensuring equality. These rules have occasionally sparked controversy, such as when the team intervened in on-track battles or adjusted penalties for incidents like the first-lap collision in Singapore.
Brown explained the rationale behind these decisions, asserting,
“We are so focused on ourselves and doing the right thing and the commitment we’ve made to the racing team. I think the reason why you see such a great relationship between Lando and Oscar is they know they have equal opportunity to win the world championship.”
Team principal Andrea Stella also defended the team’s approach, likening the management of two competitive drivers to parenting,
“When you are in my role, it’s like when you have two sons and somebody says, ‘Which one is your preferred son?’ They are my two sons, how can you say which one is the preferred one?”
Looking Ahead: Championship Implications
As the season nears its climax, McLaren’s strategy could have significant implications for the championship outcome. Should Verstappen clinch the title, it would mark a remarkable comeback and a testament to Red Bull Racing’s resilience. However, McLaren remains optimistic about their chances and future prospects.
Stella articulated the team’s forward-looking mindset,
“If Max wins this year, we say we’re going to win next year. We’re going to be there, and we are going to be there united as we are. Within this framework, we have the conditions to win even in the future. We are protecting the present. We are protecting the future.”
As McLaren prepares for the upcoming Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the team and its drivers are focused on maintaining their competitive edge while upholding the values that define their racing ethos. The outcome of this season remains uncertain, but McLaren’s commitment to fairness and integrity sets a precedent for future championship battles.
