Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has mocked McLaren’s “papaya rules”, saying he wouldn’t need such guidelines to manage a teammate rivalry because he would be too far ahead in the championship for them to matter.
Speaking to Dutch media ahead of the United States Grand Prix sprint race at the Circuit of the Americas, the three-time world champion laughed off McLaren’s internal policy designed to ensure fair racing between title contenders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
“No, but I don’t think we would have been so close in terms of points. Then you automatically don’t have that problem,” Verstappen said.
He added that Formula 1 can never be “100% fair” due to its unpredictable nature — from pit stop errors to mechanical issues — and suggested McLaren was “overcomplicating things” by trying to enforce strict fairness.
McLaren introduced the “papaya rules” earlier this season to manage the close contest between Norris and Piastri. The guidelines encourage clean racing and mutual support but stop short of imposing team orders. The pair are separated by just 22 points after 17 races, while McLaren has already secured the constructors’ title.
The policy came under scrutiny following a tense on-track clash between the two in Singapore, which sparked internal discussions on accountability and strategy.
Verstappen, known for his forthright opinions, suggested McLaren had created their own dilemma.
“If you leave the door a little open, like Oscar did in Singapore, then you can end up in a situation like that. But on the other hand, they kind of created this themselves by trying to make everything equal,” he said.
Asked whether he would tolerate similar restrictions at Red Bull, Verstappen laughed:
“If Jos [his father] was team boss, there wouldn’t be any rules at all!”
The remarks quickly gained traction on X, with fans and pundits reacting to Verstappen’s trademark confidence. @RBR_Daily shared his comment with a photo of the Dutchman, while @autosport quoted his “wouldn’t be that close in points” line, prompting debate and amusement among fans.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown responded indirectly, insisting the team would continue applying the rules.
“Max is still a major threat,” Brown told reporters, reaffirming McLaren’s commitment to allowing both drivers to race freely while maximizing points.
Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner, however, suggested McLaren should abandon the policy and focus on supporting one driver as the title fight intensifies.
With the Austin sprint weekend underway, Verstappen’s comments have added spice to an already tense rivalry. Whether McLaren’s “papaya rules” hold up under pressure—or fall to Verstappen’s prediction—could shape the final leg of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
