Norris and Piastri free to race in Australian GP around “rules we cannot cross”

Lando Norris says he and Oscar Piastri are free to fight for victory from the head of the grid for Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix, around specific “rules we cannot cross” at McLaren.

The rather contradictory explanation stems from the team’s updated terms of engagement – dubbed ‘Papaya Rules’ in 2024 – after their various run-ins last year.

McLaren held off imposing stricter team orders until very late in the 2024 campaign, when Norris was attempting a long-shot title battle against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who will start the Melbourne race from third behind the two MCL39s.

After Piastri’s stunning attack on Norris at the 2024 Italian GP, McLaren ordered the pair to avoid the situation that contributed to Charles Leclerc beating them at Monza for Ferrari – but still left flexibility in the directive before Piastri later had to cede the Brazil sprint win to his team-mate.

McLaren has re-established the more malleable principle now both drivers are title contenders, with a focus on the pair ensuring they give each other adequate space in any racing engagement.

“There's obviously been discussions because we're prepared,” Norris said after clinching pole ahead of home hero Piastri in Melbourne. “We know we're gonna have a lot more of this kind of thing over the course of the season.

“So, there are clearly rules we cannot cross. Both cars will always have to stay in the race and that kind of thing.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

“We're both competitors, that's clear, we both want to fight for a win and fight for victories, that's clear.

“But, there's just boundaries, around the car. So, it's just ‘[give] a little bit more space here and there’. But we're free to race, we're free to try and win races.

“What won us the constructors' last year was how we helped one another out and how we kept things clean and how there was order when there was needed to be. But a lot of that was very much later in the season and when external things were happening.

“At the minute there is none of that, so it's good – we're both excited and we'll of course always have our morning talks, but we'll wait and see.”

Piastri agreed, saying “I obviously want to win the race as much as Lando does” and “I think he summed it up very well”.

“Any team, not just McLaren, obviously the number one rule is to have no contact and to give each other space,” he added.

“So, that's no different. Obviously, if there's opportunities for either of us to take advantage of certain situations, then we will, and we're free to do that.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

“But, ultimately, we are racing for the team. It's a very important thing for us.

“I think we said numerous times last year, the teamwork that we show as drivers, but also as a team is what won us the constructors’ championship last year.

“So, I think it's important to recognise that fact because obviously the car has been strong for a while now, but I think also the team is very strong.”