[Saba Sports News] McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently stated that, despite the arrival of a new technical regulations cycle for the upcoming season, the team’s core principles regarding driver management will not change. The fair “Papaya Rules” regarding Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will continue, as McLaren insists on providing both drivers equal opportunities to compete for the championship.
The so-called Papaya Rules originally appeared in team radio communications, with the core idea being to avoid a clear distinction between a number one and number two driver, allowing both official drivers to compete freely under the same conditions. This approach became a focal point in the 2025 season, especially as both Norris and Piastri emerged as title contenders while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen made a strong push in the second half of the season. There were questions about whether McLaren should place their bets on one of them earlier.
In response to this, Zak Brown emphasized that the team is committed to providing both drivers with equal championship opportunities, and this principle will not be shaken by changes in regulations or external pressures. Even after one of the drivers wins the world championship, McLaren will continuously review and seek improvements within the team, which is part of the team culture. However, this does not mean overturning existing management logic.
In the writer’s view, only by adhering to fairness, transparency, focusing on the overall interests of the team, and respecting the competitive rights of the drivers can the team make progress.