McLaren CEO Brown Defends 'Papaya Rule' Approach After Championship Success

McLaren CEO Zak Brown used his speech at the FIA Prize Gala to champion the team's 'papaya rule' philosophy, crediting it for enabling both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to fight for the World Championship until the final race—a scenario many had deemed impossible.

Why it matters:

Brown's public endorsement validates McLaren's controversial team management strategy. The 'papaya rule'—allowing drivers to race freely with minimal team orders—was heavily scrutinized throughout the season. Its success in producing a 1-2 in the Drivers' Championship standings directly challenges the conventional wisdom that a team must prioritize one driver early to win a title.

The details:

• Speaking while accepting the Constructors' Championship trophy, Brown praised the entire team and specifically highlighted the driver battle as "remarkable."
• The rule is designed to ensure fairness and let both drivers compete on equal terms, a point also defended by Oscar Piastri earlier in the season.
• Piastri stated the approach made him a better driver, particularly in wheel-to-wheel combat with his teammate.
• While promoting freedom, the system is governed by "fine margins and restrictions" to prevent on-track incidents, showing it is not a complete free-for-all.

What's next:

Brown made it clear this is not a one-off experiment, stating, "that’s exactly what we plan to do next year." McLaren's commitment to this philosophy sets a precedent for the 2026 season and puts other top teams on notice. The success of their dual-challenge approach may force rivals to reconsider their own internal driver management strategies in the pursuit of both championships.