McLaren’s controversial ‘papaya rule’ is ready to alter for the 2026 System 1 season after it “brought about complications” for the carmaker final yr, in keeping with Oscar Piastri.
Final yr, McLaren tried to handle the tense title battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri with the ‘papaya rule’, however this solely brought about controversy late within the season.
On the Italian Grand Prix, Piastri was advised to maneuver apart to make manner for Norris after eventual champion Norris was delayed in his pit cease, a lot to the Australian’s anger.
Piastri responded to the conflict attributable to Norris in Singapore with additional modifications to the “papaya rule” for the Briton who was despatched off after tagging a teammate in Austin.
The controversy surrounding the ‘Papaya Rule’ led to Australian Parliament questioning whether or not Piastoria was being handled pretty by McLaren.
Piastri: Extra revealed about ‘Papaya Rule’ than what really occurred
On the media occasion I attended, crash internet, Piastri mentioned the “Papaya Rule” “brings a number of positives” however revealed there can be modifications to the method for 2026.
“It should look completely different,” he started. “Streamlining is a clever resolution.
“We most likely brought about ourselves some complications final yr that we did not want.
“As a common precept and as a common manner of racing, racing brings a number of optimistic elements, but it surely’s about how we enhance it, principally to maintain it solely optimistic.”
“There’s all the time extra being product of it than what really occurs, and many individuals assume with out understanding the complete internal workings, and plenty of issues look completely different than they are surely.
“There will definitely be some changes this yr, however I believe it is clear that as a group we nonetheless wish to race as a lot as attainable.”
Requested if he felt he had been given the identical likelihood of profitable the title as Norris, Piastri mentioned he did, however added: “There are issues I may have completed higher.”
“Sure, I believe I hit a good shot final yr and I count on it to be precisely the identical.
“That’s to not say that sure issues may have been completed higher final yr.
“I believe that was most likely apparent to everybody watching. However to me, at no level was there any malicious intent, and at no time did I query the intent of issues.”
