McLaren confirms controversial papaya rules will stay for 2026 F1 season

McLaren has confirmed that its much-discussed “papaya rules” will remain in place for the 2026 Formula 1 season, with team principal Andrea Stella stressing that fairness and equality will continue to power how his drivers go racing.

These rules, which defined how Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri would engage throughout 2025, became a recurring talking point of the year, especially as McLaren's machinery was capable of fighting for wins the majority of race weekends, while fans questioned whether they were fixed or situational. 

But while Stella was clear that nothing in Formula 1 is ever final, he confirmed that the philosophical core of McLaren’s approach is settled.

Speaking at the 2026 Autosport Awards, Stella rejected the idea that any concept can simply be “put to rest".

“Well, there’s nothing in Formula 1 that you put to rest,” he said. “You need to continuously evolve. You need to continuously review, you need to continuously find a way to do better.”

He explained that this same theory has been applied to his drivers who have been in continuous discussions regarding how the rules will continue this year.

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

"Even when it comes to the racing principles that we apply in the way we go racing at McLaren together with Lando and Oscar,” he said, “while we could confirm even in the post-season with Lando and Oscar and the ongoing conversations, pretty much as we speak, with our drivers, we confirm that the principles of fairness, equality, sportsmanship - that’s the way we want to go racing.”

These rules, however controversial they may be for fans of the championship, reflect the culture of the team.

“That’s the way in which we feel as McLaren Racing, Lando, Oscar, they feel best represented in who we really are,” he confirmed.

While it's clear that few things are changing, there may be iterations - as the Italian previously teased. 

“At the same time, there’s many things in which you can find ways of doing things better,” he said. “Or, if we can find a way to do the same, but in a simpler way, in a more streamlined way with less work for everyone, then that will be an important improvement for the future.”