Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, and Verstappen all share one similar trait: when push comes to shove, and a race or championship is at stake, they race for themselves and put the team’s interests second. Alonso vs. Hamilton at McLaren is a prime example—both put themselves first to the detriment of the team. Vettel vs. Webber? Vettel consistently prioritised himself. Verstappen has always done the same, and he has a long list of former teammates who would attest to that.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are unique in that they have fully bought into the so-called Papaya Rules, a racing edict created by McLaren to ensure parity of opportunity. Hypothetically, if I were a McLaren driver, I wouldn’t see the Papaya Rules as equitable. I would do everything I could to break them, because they were created for the sponsors, not in the interest of pure racing fairness.

The reason Norris and Piastri are so committed to the Papaya Rules is that they are far too obedient. They have both the right and the duty to disobey team orders when those orders run counter to their own interests. The 2025 Qatar Grand Prix was evidence of this: both drivers followed instructions to stay out during a safety-car period when it was clear they should have pitted.

Norris at least sensed the issue—over the radio, he meekly questioned the pit wall’s decision to keep him out when every other team took advantage of a free pit stop. Piastri was fully on board; he didn’t question the decision at all. Norris should have ignored the instruction to stay out and pitted anyway. He would have won the race.

Instead, McLaren did both drivers a disservice and opened the championship wide open, turning it into a three-way fight that will be decided at the final race in Abu Dhabi. That race won’t be about the best car, pole position, or race pace; it will come down to the one driver who can handle the pressure. My money is on Verstappen.

As for Norris and Piastri, they need to be more selfish. Their adherence to the Papaya Rules has left them exposed to attacks from all sides. But the real question is whether they have the championship mentality required to become Formula 1 world champions.