McLaren has confirmed that its much-discussed “papaya rules” will remain in place for the 2026 Formula 1 season, with team principal Andrea Stella stressing that fairness and equality will continue to power how his drivers go racing.
These rules, which defined how Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri would engage throughout 2025, became a recurring talking point of the year, especially as McLaren's machinery was capable of fighting for wins the majority of race weekends, while fans questioned whether they were fixed or situational.
