"There are clearly rules we cannot cross," admits pole-man Lando Norris as he confirms that Papaya Rules still apply.

While George Russell believes that such is McLaren's advantage the Woking team can already shift its focus to next year's car, the fact is that the biggest threat to the Woking team is its own drivers.

Both a very evenly matched, and both are determined to be top dog.

On several occasions last year one or the other was asked to defer to his teammate, something no driver likes to do, and neither will be willing to continue the practice going forwards.

However, over the decades the Woking team has seen its drivers rivalry end in tears and in a determined effort to ensure history doesn't repeat itself so -called Papayas Rules have been enforced whereby one driver is called on to do what is best for the team.

Admitting that this will continue, Norris insists that he and his teammate are still free to race.

"There's obviously been discussions, because we're prepared," the Briton told reporters. "We know we're going to have a lot more of this kind of thing over the course of the season and there are clearly rules we cannot cross.

"Both cars will always have to stay in the race... that kind of thing," he added.

"We're both competitors, that's clear," he continued. "We both want to fight for a win and fight for victories, that's clear. But there's boundaries, you know, around the car. It's just a little bit more space here and there. We're free to race, we're free to try and win races.

"What won us the Constructors' Championship last year was how we helped one another out, and how we kept things clean, there was order when there needed to be. But a lot of that was very much later in the season, when external things were happening. At the minute, there is none of that.

"It's good," he grinned, "we're both excited. Of course we'll have our morning talks, but we'll wait and see."

"We're free to race each other," added Piastri. "I obviously want to win the race as much as Lando does, I think he summed it up very well.

"I think in any team, not just McLaren, obviously the number one rule is to have no contact, and to give each other space," he continued. "That's no different.

"Obviously if there's opportunities for either of us to take advantage of certain situations, then we will. We're free to do that.

"Ultimately, we are racing for the team, it's a very important thing for us, and I think, we said numerous times last year, I think the teamwork that we showed as drivers but also as a team is what won us the Constructors' Championship last year.

"I think it's important to recognise that fact. I think obviously the car has been strong for a while now, but I think also the team is very strong. That's as good as I can put it."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Editor, 22/03/2025 2:41

"@ Ricardo_sanchez

Post of the month."

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2. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 22/03/2025 0:08

"@kenji – I think we’re viewing the concept of “free to race” through different lenses. The phrase doesn’t mean unlimited autonomy - it means both drivers are free to race within the team’s strategic framework. That’s the accepted norm across the grid and has been for decades.

The FIA dropped the ban because it was deemed impossible to enforce. Reinstating it would just return us to that same grey area of coded messages and inconsistent enforcement. History has shown is it was an unworkable regulation. "

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3. Posted by kenji, 19/03/2025 14:20

"@ Ricardo-sanchez......just because it seems, prima facie, impossible to police doesn't mean that it should be swept under the carpet. It is an abhorrent practice. The FIA should reinstate the 'No Team Orders' rules with attached draconian penalties. Whilst it may be difficult to prosecute it does put in place an allowance for action to be taken should the FIA have any evidence of a breach.

IIRC Zak Brown was asked pre race on the grid what were the race rules for the drivers, and he replied that 'They are free to race'. Twenty nine laps later that was
proven to be false. Do you seriously think that the fans would accept it if Brown simply said, 'We'll make the decision who wins and who doesn't because we can control the outcome if it looks close and our preferred driver will get the nod'.!!!"

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4. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 18/03/2025 17:45

"@Editor - I don’t think the comparison to a horse being “pulled up” is quite accurate. Team orders are a known, expected part of F1. There’s no deception - team orders are publicly broadcast, and both gamblers and bookmakers factor them into betting decisions.

A more fitting analogy might be cycling, where teammates work together to control the race, set the pace, and even sacrifice their own chances to benefit a designated leader.

If team orders were considered manipulation in a regulatory sense, gambling authorities would surely have intervened long ago."

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5. Posted by Editor, 18/03/2025 13:56

"As an aside, F1 has a number of highly lucrative deals with gambling companies.

Surely, team orders can only be seen as a manipulation of the result and therefore a serious compromise of gambling regulations.

It would be like the favourite in a horse race being pulled up in sight of the finish line. There would be an uproar, and deservedly so."

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6. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 18/03/2025 13:30

"@kenji - I understand your frustration. It’s not easy to see a driver you support being held back, especially when they appear to have the pace to challenge. However, team orders have been a fundamental part of Formula 1 for a long time, and while they might not be popular, they are entirely within the team’s discretion.

McLaren hasn’t broken any rules here, nor have they done anything unusual. Banning team orders is all but impossible to enforce - teams can always agree on strategies behind closed doors before a race even begins. Like it or not, this is simply part of the sport’s strategic nature, and teams will always prioritise what they believe is best for them over any one driver’s ambitions.

Even when both drivers are competitive, teams often ‘manage’ them to avoid unnecessary risk. The priority for McLaren isn’t just pure pace at a given moment but the bigger picture of the season. That is just the reality of F1, and it has been for decades. "

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7. Posted by kenji, 18/03/2025 7:22

"We're only free to race when we're told we are which is at the team's discretion at all times. Therefore we are not free to race unless we receive the teams explicit approval. The term 'race' has been subjugated. Many years ago there were rules banning 'team orders' which were a genuine attempt to clean up the competition but teams went to all kinds of lengths to circumvent this by devising coded messages and other covert means. In the end the FIA abandoned their efforts. What we have seen are the proliferation of 'team orders' that make a mockery of equal opportunity to win for all drivers. It parallels the 'concert pill testing' example in many ways. Turning a blind eye is no solution and the FIA should come down hard once more only this time if a team is caught they should be banned for a minimum of 12 months with no right of return. Yes it might be difficult to police but at least something is being attempted and not glossed over. It is just so hollow to see drivers pumping the air and showing the 'No.1 finger' when they have won unfairl. "

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"We're free to race," insists Norris

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