Instead of drawing a line in the sand, the team doubled down on papaya rules, insisting it was the McLaren way and that the team wouldn\u2019t have any issues moving forward.<\/p>\n
Race 16: Italy \u2013 Piastri made to swap positions<\/p>\n
However, the Italian Grand Prix highlighted the elasticity of what \u201cpapaya rules\u201d means.<\/p>\n
With Norris ahead as he went into the pits, a slow stop from the McLaren garage saw Piastri overtake his teammate as Norris exited the pit lane.<\/p>\n
McLaren instructed Piastri to give the position back to Norris in a clear blurring of the team\u2019s own racing rules. \u201cWe said that a slow pit stop was part of racing,\u201d Piastri said over the radio when asked to let Norris past.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really get what changed here, but if you really want me to do it then I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
McLaren claimed it was the fair thing to do in the championship fight, but it appeared McLaren had chosen a favourite.<\/p>\n
Race 22: Las Vegas \u2013 Double disqualification<\/p>\n
The McLaren duo were slapped with a double disqualification in Las Vegas<\/a> for excessive rear skid block wear on their cars.<\/p>\n An excessively worn skid block allows the car to run lower to the ground and technically gain an advantage and usually results in immediate disqualification.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the FIA noted, the breach was unintentional, there was no deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations, and mitigating circumstances also existed,\u201d Stella said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe apologise to Lando and Oscar for the loss of points today, at a critical time in their championship campaigns after two strong performances from them all weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n The error added 25 points to Verstappen\u2019s tally, drawing him level with Piastri in the championship.<\/p>\n Race 23: Qatar \u2013 Not pitting under the safety car<\/p>\n This all leads to McLaren\u2019s latest fumble in Lusail, where Piastri had been dominant all weekend<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"Oscar](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/16ea8ecf4a3dd11dbfee046f40094175bead1a6c.jpeg\")
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