Max Verstappen has taken a playful jab at McLaren’s internal “papaya rules,” claiming he’d never need them if he were driving for the team. The Red Bull superstar, known for his blunt honesty and confidence, used his pre–U.S. Grand Prix media session to poke fun at McLaren’s efforts to maintain harmony between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri following their on-track clashes.
The tension stems from the Singapore Grand Prix, where Norris’s aggressive overtake attempt on the opening lap nearly caused disaster for both McLaren drivers. The team later held what they described as “constructive talks” to clear the air, though Norris was subtly blamed for endangering both cars. Verstappen, however, was unconvinced by McLaren’s approach, saying their insistence on equal treatment between the two drivers was bound to cause problems.
In his typically unfiltered style, Verstappen criticized the team’s obsession with fairness, arguing that no Formula 1 season is ever perfectly even. He pointed out that unexpected factors like pit stop delays or mechanical failures naturally create imbalance, and trying to artificially control equality only fuels frustration within a team. His remarks underscored his belief that true competition can’t be micromanaged.
When asked if he would ever tolerate such rules, Verstappen laughed off the suggestion, making it clear that his dominance would render them pointless. With his tongue firmly in cheek, he hinted that any teammate of his would be far behind in the standings anyway — leaving no need for management to step in. His confidence drew laughter across the paddock but also reflected the swagger of a driver used to leading from the front.
Verstappen’s remarks added another layer to the ongoing narrative around McLaren’s team dynamics and title ambitions. While Norris and Piastri continue to balance rivalry with teamwork, Verstappen’s comments served as a sharp reminder of the mindset that defines champions — focus on winning outright, not on maintaining artificial equality. His dig may have been delivered with a grin, but the message was crystal clear: in Verstappen’s world, rules like McLaren’s wouldn’t survive a single lap.
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