Strong words from Johnny Herbert, who takes aim at McLaren and their management of the two drivers now separated by just a single point in the standings
357 to 356. Only one point divides the two contenders (excluding, exceptionally, Max Verstappen, who can never truly be left out) in the fight for the Formula 1 World Championship, with only four races remaining (read here for the statements ahead of the Brazilian GP). We’re talking about Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris — the two major protagonists of an unpredictable and still wide-open 2025 season.
With four races to go, and two Sprint events still on the calendar, the battle for the crown remains wide open between the Australian and the Briton, who moved into the lead following his victory in Mexico. Which of the two is favoured to win the World Championship? Or will it turn into a three-way fight, with Verstappen now firmly back in contention?
Herbert weighs in: “A situation that needs clarification”
Let’s start from the beginning: the “Papaya Rules.” Internal guidelines set by the McLaren pit wall in 2024, which have become even more controversial this season. On several occasions, especially Oscar Piastri, has voiced frustration over their inconsistent enforcement during certain Grands Prix — Monza and Singapore being the most notable examples, setting a precedent for the chaos that unfolded later in Austin.
These much-debated internal rules have therefore caught the media’s attention, with Johnny Herbert —
known for his outspoken paddock commentary and a former driver himself — revealing significant insight into McLaren’s supposed in-team preferences:
“McLaren felt guilty about Norris’s technical failure in the Netherlands“.
“That’s the only reason why, at Monza, they asked Piastri to give the position back to Norris after the pit stop mistake. Even Toto Wolff ( joining Verstappen, by the way) said that the Papaya Rules would eventually backfire — because at some point, from a championship perspective, they’d be forced to choose a side”.
Finally, Herbert delivered his sharpest jab:“This whole narrative that Norris is McLaren’s favourite was created by McLaren themselves. They’ve made decisions throughout the season that favoured Norris. Now McLaren must find a way out of this situation. How? By not talking about it anymore — and by refusing to get drawn into it again“.
Photo: McLaren
