McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has made it clear that the team’s current philosophy is to treat Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris equally in the fight for the 2025 drivers' championship.

The Woking-based team insists it will only prioritize one driver over the other if the gap in points mathematically eliminates one contender. With Piastri holding a 14-point lead over Norris after the United States Grand Prix and both still ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen, McLaren remains committed to letting both drivers race freely without team orders for now.​

This approach has kept tensions manageable despite on-track clashes, including contact at Singapore and Austin, and some controversial moments. However, with Verstappen surging and the championship’s momentum shifting, speculation about a potential ruthless decision to back a single driver is growing.​

Pressure Mounting Amid Verstappen’s Threat

Max Verstappen, the defending four-time world champion, has narrowed McLaren’s comfortable lead, gaining 64 points on Piastri since the summer. His recent victories, including the United States Grand Prix, have reminded the paddock that the battle has become a three-way fight.

The Dutchman’s momentum adds significant pressure on McLaren to ensure its drivers maximize every opportunity in the season’s final five races.​

Despite this, McLaren’s leadership, including CEO Zak Brown, remains confident in their “papaya rules” designed to keep racing between Piastri and Norris clean and fair. Brown praises the team’s focus and humility in approaching the title run-in with discretion, rather than rushing into favoritism.​

What Could Trigger a Shift?

Should one driver falter or the points gap widen substantially, McLaren may be forced to reassess. Experts and insiders suggest the team could adopt a “ruthless” approach, similar to other top teams, prioritizing whichever driver offers the best shot at securing McLaren’s first drivers’ title in years.

However, Andrea Stella remains cautious, emphasizing the need to monitor development and performance continuously.​

For now, the McLaren duo’s rivalry, marked by mutual respect but also fierce competitiveness, continues as one of the most captivating storylines in F1. Whether fairness will remain the policy or give way to hard strategic decisions will heavily influence the closing stages of the 2025 championship.