Release the shackles and let them go hell for leather.
That is the general consensus among F1 experts after the latest dust-up between McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
The ‘papaya rules’ — ‘race him hard, race him clean and do not touch’, according to McLaren CEO Zak Brown — have been referenced relentlessly since Norris made contact with Piastri on the opening lap of the Singapore Grand Prix.
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The Australian, who is the world championship leader, was furious after having to take evasive action as his teammate and title rival overtook him.
Norris recklessly crashed into Max Verstappen, and then barged into Piastri as he struggled to control his McLaren.
Norris did light damage to his front wing, and almost sent Piastri into the wall.
“Yeah, I mean, that wasn’t very team like,” Piastri said on team radio on lap two.
A lap later he then asked: “So, are we cool with Lando just barging me out the way or? What’s the go there?”
Piastri was then told by McLaren officials that they would investigate further and make a decision post-race.
“That’s not fair, I’m sorry. That’s not fair,” Piastri replied.
“If he has to avoid another car by crashing into his teammate, that’s a pretty s**t job of avoiding.”
Oscar watches on as McLaren celebrates | 01:04
McLaren found no issue with what Norris did, neither did race officials with no penalty handed down.
It worked for the Brit too as he came from starting in fifth to nab a podium place, while Piastri dropped from starting in third to fourth and gave up three championship points to Norris.
The controversy added a lot of spark to what was otherwise quite a straightforward race with Mercedes’ George Russell winning from pole,
With six races remaining and just 22 points separating Piastri and Norris, legendary F1 commentator Martin Brundle wants to see the McLaren teammates throw their “gloves off” even if that opens the door for four-time reigning world champion Verstappen.
“It would have been a feisty post-race team debrief, and I have no doubt whatsoever that the dynamics between the two McLaren drivers will irrevocably change going forward. It was just a matter of time,” Brundle wrote for Sky Sports.
“Perhaps McLaren should now just let their two drivers duke it out, gloves off, between themselves with zero interference.
“Any nuclear fallout will be tempered by the need to finish races, score points, avoid FIA in-race penalties, avoid Verstappen catching the pair of them, and running out of the latest specification of parts as the team focuses on 2026.”
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Oscar GRILLS McLaren after Norris clash | 00:58
Former Jordan and Jaguar F1 technical director Gary Anderson shared a similar sentiment, but implored McLaren to stay somewhat sensible to avoid any potential implosions.
“Now McLaren have won the constructors’ championship, that should make the situation between their drivers a little clearer in the final six rounds,” he wrote in The Telegraph.
“The responsibility for getting each individual and both cars home now moves to the men in the cockpit and McLaren should let the drivers get on with it.
“That is not to say they go all out and to hell with the consequences – that would be madness.
“No, McLaren should remind the drivers that a DNF or in-race penalty could have severe consequences for their hopes of becoming world champion – especially with a resurgent Verstappen lurking behind.
Piastri talks controversial Lando clash | 02:10
Anderson continued: “Ultimately, McLaren should now not interfere in the Norris-Piastri battles once the red lights go out as they have done in the past.
“Essentially the message is: ‘It’s not for us to tell you what to do, it’s now your responsibility to conduct yourselves properly.’
“That said, with the championship as close as it is and with just six rounds remaining, I am not sure Norris or Piastri would comply with any order to let their teammate through.
“In fact I am certain they would not. Those days are long gone and it should be a fascinating watch from here to Abu Dhabi.
“I expect more wheel-banging from two closely matched drivers aiming for their maiden title.”
Piastri v Norris clash – Full Breakdown | 05:34
In an interview with Motorsport.com, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was asked whether his drivers have developed an expectation that the “hand of God” will intervene to ensure fairness.
Stella walked around the question by saying that they continue to encourage their drivers to say their peace, and having such robust conversations will help to make the team stronger.
Motorsport.com’s Stuart Codling and Filip Cleeren summed up McLaren’s approach by saying, “to paraphrase Elvis Presley, is a little more conversation and a little less action”.
“Piastri’s belief was that he was displaced by an unnecessarily physical move and he will want to know why the pitwall didn’t intervene to reverse their positions,” they continued.
“It may be that the additional perspective granted by seeing the opening few corners from all angles may salve some of the angst. Or it may not – because racing drivers are fundamentally competitive individuals and McLaren is walking a proverbial tightrope in trying to ensure fairness and equality between Norris and Piastri.”
McLaren clash on the way to Constructors | 01:06
Plenty of F1 fans and pundits would love to be a fly on the wall in McLaren’s conversations before next week’s United States Grand Prix.
With a sprint race also on the billing in Texas, a big weekend in the driver’s championship race is ahead of McLaren, but we will not know if there is any change any approach until Piastri and Norris hit the Circuit of the Americas.