I had already said it at the end of the Italian Grand Prix: “In trying to ‘do the right thing’ at Monza, McLaren risks seriously complicating its future. ‘Doing the right thing’ from now on could soon turn into a significant headache, a tunnel where every decision feels wrong, on one side or the other.”
Well, the counterproof did not take long. In Singapore, we witnessed an episode that—according to the principle of doing “the right thing”—was handled very poorly by McLaren, revealing a blatant inconsistency. Let’s reconstruct the entire situation.
The incident
Piastri and Norris started from third and fifth on the grid at Marina Bay. Thanks to an excellent initial launch, the British driver immediately overtook Antonelli before extending the braking zone and attempting a move on his teammate (and direct title rival) into Turn 2.
Aware of this attempt, Oscar gave car number 4 all the necessary space to avoid contact. Yet, his caution was not rewarded: Lando overshot the apex, tapped Verstappen, and literally bounced into the other McLaren.
The result? Norris secured third place at the expense of Piastri and held it throughout the race. The Australian was furious with the team, which seemingly left him to manage the situation alone—a move far from correct, especially when recalling the events at Monza.
Strangely, the FIA did not intervene with any sanctions, despite the English driver losing control of his car—a clear criterion in the sporting regulations for a legitimate overtake.
The FIA likely avoided a decision that could have influenced the World Championship—a choice not entirely honorable, though understandable. On the other hand, McLaren’s management of the situation is incomprehensible.
This time, “doing the right thing”?
In this case—frankly, it goes without saying—the “right thing” would have been to return the position to car number 81 and let the two drivers race freely again, as the English driver gained an advantage through a reckless move.
The much-vaunted “McLaren values,” however, did not come into play. This time, it was decided—as Oscar Piastri’s race engineer Tom Stallard explained—that it would be discussed after the race.
Still, this remains a debatable decision, to put it mildly. Let’s be clear: McLaren had the chance to even the score with Monza (literally, given a three-point difference between positions, just like in this case).
Yet, this scenario was not considered “unfair.” So, according to the team’s “values,” a slow pit stop is unjust, while overtaking and colliding with a teammate is acceptable. A truly perplexing contradiction.
Piastri’s reaction says it all
From an outside perspective, the only “value” in the confusing “Papaya Rules” is inconsistency.
This perception seems to have been shared by Oscar Piastri, who not only complained extensively during the Singapore Grand Prix, but also disconnected the radio at the moment Zak Brown—the team’s CEO—was thanking him for securing McLaren’s tenth Constructors’ Championship in history.
In six races, if not sooner, we will know who will be crowned World Champion in 2025. In the meantime, one certainty remains: Oscar Piastri will remember the incidents at Monza and Singapore vividly if the trophy does not bear his name.
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