On Sunday at the Singapore Grand Prix, McLaren secured the Formula One Constructors' championship. The race ended with Lando Norris finishing third and Oscar Piastri finishing right behind Norris in fourth. The team has had a dominant season with the drivers contending for the driver's championship as well, but it seems as though McLaren will be its own downfall.
The driver's championship standings currently put Piastri in first and Norris in second. In third, only 63 points behind the leader, is Max Verstappen. Although after the summer break, it seemed like McLaren had the driver's championship wrapped up. It would be the first time since 2008 the team had won the driver's championship. However, the team's own rules could cost it a championship, and maybe one of its own drivers.
At the halfway point in the season, I predicted Piastri would win the championship over Norris. I still believe it to be true, but the McLaren team seems to back Piastri’s championship dreams. Piastri had a great start to the season, gaining the lead early on in the season. Out of the 18 races so far, he has placed on the podium on 14 of them, winning seven. Norris has had similar results, being on 14 podiums but with five wins. While based on race results, it seems like a fair fight, but the team rules clearly favor Norris.
One of the major rules at McLaren is papaya rules. This rule means you can race your teammate, but do not race unfairly and avoid hitting each other. Having two drivers contend in the championship is never easy. The team has to find a way to be fair to both sides of the garage, not showing favorites. Arguably, McLaren is showing favoritism towards Norris.
At the Singapore Grand Prix, Norris broke papaya rules on lap one, hitting Piastri’s car while trying to overtake. Although in previous races McLaren has chastised Piastri for pulling risky moves on Norris, this race Norris was not warned about hitting his teammate.
This isn’t the first time the so-called papaya rules have only benefited one driver. In Monza, Piastri had to give up a position because Norris had a slow stop. Even other drivers pointed out how ridiculous the swap was, with Verstappen going on his team radio saying, “Ha! Just because he (Norris) had a slow stop?”
Piastri even pointed out a slow stop is just a part of racing. Implying he should not have to swap positions because of an error that had nothing to do with him.
This weekend, while McLaren was celebrating its constructors' championship win, it did so on the podium without Piastri. It could be argued Piastri was following the FIA rules of going straight to the media. Alex Albon had broken procedures at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to celebrate Carlos Sainz Jr.'s podium finish for Williams. Thus, Piastri probably could’ve done the same, but chose to go to the media pen.
Piastris' lead in the championship is shrinking, and it isn’t because of a lack of skill rather that McLaren is somewhat favoring Norris. This battle has allowed Verstappen to somewhat catch up to the McLarens in the standings. McLaren needs to get its team in order, or else it will cost both of its drivers the championship.
Cassie is a senior studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views and opinions expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu
