In a thrilling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the world of Formula 1, Zak Brown, the dynamic chief executive of McLaren, has confirmed what many fans have speculated: the team will uphold its “papaya rules” for the F1 2026 season. This policy, which emphasizes equality between drivers, has come into the spotlight following McLaren’s standout performance this year, where they clinched both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships—an accomplishment they hadn’t achieved since 1998.
The dramatic finale in Abu Dhabi was the stage for Lando Norris to seize the drivers’ title, narrowly triumphing over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by a heart-stopping two points. This victory not only crowned Norris as the 11th British world champion but also marked a significant milestone for McLaren, making him the first driver from the team to lift the championship since the legendary Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, McLaren maintained a strict policy of fairness, refusing to show favoritism to either Norris or his teammate Oscar Piastri, even when both drivers had impressive points leads at various points in the season. This approach, while commendable, faced criticism—particularly during the penultimate race in Qatar, where the team missed a crucial opportunity to pit both drivers under an early safety car. Despite their strategic misstep, Norris and Piastri managed to finish in second and fourth places, respectively, while Verstappen claimed victory.
During the FIA’s prestigious prize-giving gala, Brown expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement, emphasizing the importance of their fair racing policy. He stated, “Fantastic season. All the men and women at McLaren have done an unbelievable job, led by our two awesome drivers. Of course, the job Andrea has done leading our team. 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.”
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, echoed Brown’s sentiments, highlighting the critical role of the drivers in achieving the team’s success. He remarked, “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. And also we are very, very proud of how the drivers conducted themselves, allowing McLaren to go racing. That’s what we do – we go racing – and we did it with equality and fairness, so thank you to Lando and Oscar.”
As the team sets its sights on the upcoming season, the commitment to maintaining an even playing field between Norris and Piastri promises to make for an exhilarating F1 2026. McLaren’s approach could redefine teamwork in the sport, setting a precedent that fans and analysts alike will be watching closely.
