When Oscar Piastri took the lead from Charles Leclerc at the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he not only secured victory but also cemented his rising stature within the McLaren F1 team. His win applied additional pressure on teammate Lando Norris and effectively ushered in a new team dynamic, replacing the childish “Papaya Rules” that had previously effectively favoured no team orders, just fair and hard racing.

There is no question about Lando Norris’s talent; he is regarded as one of the finest drivers of his generation. However, the arrival of a new, highly anticipated driver can often shift team dynamics, and while many such drivers fail to live up to the hype—think Kevin Magnussen or, more recently, Logan Sargeant—Piastri has delivered.

Piastri’s rapid adaptation to Formula 1 and his consistent performance have intensified the pressure on Norris to elevate his game. The Australian rookie now appears to be a more credible championship contender than his experienced teammate.

While having a competitive car certainly helps, Piastri’s poise under pressure stands in stark contrast to Norris, who has been prone to small but costly errors. In Azerbaijan, Piastri looked composed and accomplished, while Norris still seemed to have a few rough edges to file down. Piastri, meanwhile, appears capable of reaching yet another level.

McLaren’s previous focus on Norris after abandoning the so-called “Papaya Rules” seems to be shifting. Piastri’s assured, calm, and scintillating performance in Azerbaijan suggests that McLaren is gradually coalescing around him, even if subconsciously.

It is possible that the Papaya Rules were initially designed with this in mind—that McLaren anticipated Piastri’s growth and planned to pivot once he surpassed Norris in the drivers standing. The reality is becoming clear: under pressure, Piastri appears more likely to deliver than Norris, and McLaren may one day adapt to this new order.