F1 media is no stranger to publishing unverified reports that have no actual evidence or basis in fact. In other words, it practices journalism in the same way it has always been practised — on hearsay. That’s a polite way of saying journalism is often a predatory profession, relying on editors to make things up. But I’ll paper over the cracks and call this deceitful practice “rumours.”
The latest rumour making the rounds is that Oscar Piastri is supposedly fed up with McLaren over the perceived notion that the Papaya team rules are favouring Lando Norris. Take the Singapore Grand Prix, for example. At the start, Norris made contact with his teammate on the opening lap in the run-up to Turn 1. The move elevated Norris into fourth place, nudging Piastri down to fifth.
Piastri voiced his dissatisfaction over the radio after the incident, and Norris ultimately finished ahead of him. After the race, Australian media reported that Piastri is now looking to extract himself from his McLaren contract and move to Ferrari — citing speculation that Charles Leclerc may also be seeking a new team, potentially leaving a seat vacant in 2027.
However, Piastri signed a lucrative long-term contract with McLaren earlier this year, reportedly lasting between three and five years. So what could be motivating Piastri — who is clearly on his way to winning the 2025 Drivers’ Championship — to consider leaving a championship-winning team? The so-called Papaya Rules: McLaren’s philosophy that drivers race for the team, not for individual interests.
The Rumours Have It?
It appears this story is just another baseless rumour — published by journalists with little else to do and a desire to meet a non-existent deadline. What is certain, though, is that both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will eventually leave McLaren at some point in their careers. That’s normal in F1, as it is in any sport.
For now, Piastri is understandably frustrated. He feels the team should be firmly in his corner, supporting his bid for a first Drivers’ Title, rather than implementing Papaya Rules at a stage of the championship where Norris is effectively out of contention. However, as long as Norris retains even a mathematical chance of catching Piastri, McLaren will continue to enforce team-first policies.
It’s easy to see why Piastri has every right to feel annoyed right now. But will he leave McLaren in 2026? No — that’s highly unlikely. Any team seeking to hire him would have to buy out his contract, which would almost certainly involve a massive sum of money.
o be fair to McLaren, Norris also faced the frustrations of the Papaya Rules during his 2024 bid for the Drivers’ Championship. So clearly, McLaren aren’t enforcing favoritism toward one driver over the other. Papaya Rules consistently suck — but it’s a system that works for McLaren, even if it doesn’t always work for the drivers.
