McLaren to continue fairness approach in F1 despite nervy end to last season

• Policy allowed Max Verstappen back into 2025 title race

• Team due to unveil new car in Bahrain on 9 February

McLaren is to continue pursuing a rigorous fairness towards Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the 2026 Formula One season. That is despite their policy last season allowed a late challenge from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen which might have prevented the team securing the drivers’ title, which was ultimately won by Norris.

Last year McLaren enjoyed the most competitive car for most of the season and from the off, the team insisted their drivers would be free to race one another and the team would apply what they referred to as their “papaya rules” to ensure they were scrupulously fair to both in racing situations.