Herbert points the finger at McLaren's 'papaya rules' for Norris' unpopular podium finish

Norris was ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri at Monza going into the one and only pit window of the race, but the Brit allowed the Australian to undercut him and pit a lap beforehand, as the team's aim was to cover off Charles Leclerc.

The next lap, Norris came into the pits, and after a slow stop due to a poor tyre change on the front left wheel, Piastri then came out ahead of the 25-year-old.

Over the team radio, Piastri was told to give the place to Norris in a role reversal of the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix. The Australian obliged, allowing Norris to take P2 ahead of him as Max Verstappen romped to victory.

After the race, the Tifosi who had gathered to watch the podium ceremony directed some boos towards Norris, causing some confusion, not least of all for the Brit.

However, Herbert stated why there might have been some animosity towards the McLaren driver after the race at the 'Temple of Speed'.

“I’m sure there was a little bit of the papaya rules that came into play with McLaren, which prompted the booing,” Herbert believed while speaking to a betting site.

There was a lot of love from the Tifosi to Max Verstappen after the Dutchman sealed his third win of the season at Monza, after talk of a partnership between the Dutchman and the Scuderia was spoken about in the build-up to the race.

“Chanting for Max, I think, is totally understandable," continued Herbert.