Piastri insists papaya rules were right call in McLaren championship battle

The Australian has insisted that the idea of “papaya rules” was a good plan for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Both Piastri and Norris had a successful season with McLaren, and it quickly emerged that they would be the favourites for the title.

Due to both drivers being neck and neck at the top of the standings, all eyes fell on the management to see if one would be favoured more than the other.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella insisted that both drivers were being allowed to race openly.

“Papaya rules” remained a talking point right to the very end of the season when Norris clinched the title in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking to Today, Piastri shared what the feeling was from his side of the garage.

Piastri said: “It gets talked about a lot. I think behind the scenes, it's a much smaller discussion and smaller deal than what it gets made out to be.

Piastri discussed what he learnt from the 2025 season and the heartbreak of missing out on the drivers’ championship.

He said: "I learned a lot about myself both on and off the track.

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