McLaren’s 2025 constructors’ championship, secured in Singapore, is a landmark — but team principal Andrea Stella says the biggest challenge is still ahead. With sweeping 2026 regulation changes looming, Woking must convert momentum into longevity, while managing fierce intra-team competition between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
2026 regulations: the true stress test
Stella cautioned that fundamental rules resets can reorder the grid overnight. The task now is to ensure the MCL39’s strengths evolve into a car concept that thrives under new aero and power unit parameters. Stability of processes, clarity of development direction and operational excellence across winter will be decisive.
'Papaya rules' under scrutiny
McLaren’s internal racing principles — dubbed the "papaya rules" — have come under fire from fans who want the title-chasing duo to race freely. Two flashpoints intensified the conversation:
- Monza: Piastri handed a place back to Norris after a slow pit stop for the Briton, aiding a 1-2 chase behind race-winner Max Verstappen.
- Singapore: Wheel-to-wheel at Turn 3 left Piastri frustrated, after Norris had clipped Verstappen moments earlier. Stella promised an internal review following a P3–P4 that also sealed the teams' crown.
In a fan poll of nearly 4,500 votes, almost 64% urged McLaren to let the drivers duke it out on track; 19% wanted rules reinforced after any future collision; just over 17% felt driver conduct should remain tightly managed by the team. With just 22 points between Norris and Piastri and 174 still available across six grands prix and three sprints, the margin for policy error is thin.
The balance Woking must strike
- Preserve harmony and maximise team points.
- Prevent intra-team incidents without blunting racecraft.
- Build a 2026-ready platform while defending 2025 drivers’ title ambitions.
McLaren has earned the right to dream big. Whether it can master the next reset while keeping its drivers unleashed — and united — will define the next chapter.
