Verstappen on McLaren's Controversial Team Orders: 'Not My Problem'

Max Verstappen believes McLaren's controversial 'papaya rules'â mteam orders dictating driver positionsâ is "not my problem" as he reflects on his "remarkable" title challenge. While McLaren has used these orders to manage battles between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Verstappen is focused solely on Red Bull's performance and the competitiveness of his car.

Why it matters:

• McLaren's use of team orders, particularly favoring Norris, has sparked debate and directly impacted the drivers' points standings, potentially influencing the championship outcome.
• Verstappen's ability to close a significant points gap after a mid-season slump highlights Red Bull's resilience and competitive resurgence, making his championship challenge even more compelling.
• The dynamic between team strategy and individual driver performance is a critical factor, especially as the championship battle intensifies in the final races.

The Details:

• McLaren has implemented team orders at various points in the 2025 season, often calling off fights between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri or, as seen at the Italian GP, instructing Piastri to allow Norris to reclaim second place after a slow pit stop.
• Piastri admitted that following such an order had a mental effect on him, notably contributing to incidents at the Azerbaijan GP where he crashed in qualifying, jumped the start, and then crashed on the opening lap.
• These decisions resulted in a six-point swing in Norris's favor over Piastri, and with a 24-point gap between them currently, Norris could become world champion by just two points if he finishes second to Piastri in the remaining three races and the Qatar Sprint.
• Verstappen, the current world champion, is now 49 points behind Norris with only 83 points left on the board, following a strong run where he won three out of four races while McLaren experienced a wobble.
• At its greatest, Verstappen's deficit to Piastri was 104 points, underscoring the significant turnaround by Red Bull from their mid-season slump.

Between the lines:

Verstappen's deflection of the 'papaya rules' issue emphasizes his laser focus on his own team's capabilities. He sees McLaren's internal strategies as irrelevant to his goal, which is simply to have a car competitive enough to beat them. This mindset highlights the singular focus required to compete at the highest level of F1.

What's next:

As the season approaches its climax, all eyes will be on the final races. Verstappen will aim to continue his strong form, capitalizing on any further stumbles from McLaren. The effectiveness of McLaren's team orders will also be scrutinized, particularly if the championship comes down to fine margins, as their internal management could directly influence the title's destination. The "remarkable" nature of Verstappen's comeback sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the championship battle.