After the Sprint Race incident in Austin, the Woking-based team has decided to lift the internal restrictions imposed on Lando Norris following the events of Singapore.
It’s now official — or at least that’s what’s being reported around the paddock: Lando Norris will no longer face any internal “consequences” after the collision with Oscar Piastri at the start of the Singapore Grand Prix.
McLaren has decided to officially close the chapter on what had become known as the “Papaya Rules” — the team’s internal disciplinary system designed to prevent further on-track clashes between its drivers.
The measure had been introduced after Norris made contact with Piastri in Turn 2 at the start of the Singapore GP — an incident that sparked significant internal tension. As a symbolic penalty, it was rumored that Piastri had been given the right to choose his qualifying run order, allowing him to decide whether to head out before or after Norris.
But after what happened during the Austin Sprint Race, the situation flipped completely. At the start, it was Piastri who hit Norris in Turn 1, leaving both cars with terminal damage and forcing them to retire on the opening lap.
According to internal sources, the team has now decided the matter is “closed,” removing all internal restrictions between the two drivers for the remainder of the season.
The decision is seen as a move to restore balance and harmony within McLaren after weeks of internal tension and speculation surrounding the Papaya Rules. The goal is clear: to give both young talents full confidence and freedom, and hopefully, see one of them challenge — and perhaps defeat — Max Verstappen for the World Championship.
