McLaren staff privately shared their plan for Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris after Singapore clash

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McLaren have a dilemma with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris after their conflict at the Singapore Grand Prix, but they seem to have already drawn up their plan.

Piastri leads the championship over Norris by 22 points after he finished fourth behind his teammate at the Singapore Grand Prix. The latter has beaten the former at the last three races.

McLaren have sparked huge controversy with team orders in 2025 as they try to keep things fair between their drivers. Tensions arose in Monza after Piastri was told to give up P2 to Norris following a slow pit stop for the Brit.

Piastri expects ‘payback’ from McLaren, and there arguably was the chance to do that in Singapore, where Norris banged wheels with the Aussie after colliding with Max Verstappen. The championship leader demanded a position swap, but it did not happen.

McLaren secured the 2025 constructors’ title in Singapore, but it was overshadowed by the clash between their drivers on track. Piastri was clearly angry with Norris’ manoeuvre and his team’s decision not to let him regain position.

McLaren staff say Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will be allowed to take the ‘gloves off’ after Singapore

Piastri was not seen at McLaren’s podium celebrations for the constructors’ title, which, while he was fulfilling media duties, may hint at him being alone in the title fight. He is not impressed that the Woking outfit seem to be favouring his teammate.

With the constructors’ title wrapped up, McLaren can now focus on the drivers’ championship. With six races to go, the team appear keen to let Piastri and Norris fight it out without intervention from the pit wall.

F1 photographer Kym Illman spoke to McLaren staff in Singapore, and he says they suggested that ‘papaya rules’ will be no more. Piastri and Norris can ‘definitely’ take the gloves off and fight it out for the championship.

He said via his YouTube channel: “There’s no doubt, though, that tensions are rising, and Oscar still has a 22-point lead. Lando took three points out of that tonight.

“There are six races to go and I don’t think Mark Webber is going to be telling Oscar to play the team game for the rest of those six races. I think it’s going to be gloves off.

“He’ll be pushing Oscar to do everything to win that championship. I spoke to a couple of people in the team tonight and they suggested that the gloves definitely will be off. And Papaya rules? Well, probably that’s gone by the wayside, too.”

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What Andrea Stella has told Oscar Piastri as Lando Norris tensions grow

People are beginning to see that Piastri is more agitated as the 2025 title fight goes on. He is known for his cool persona, but that has noticeably changed in recent races.

The F1 paddock thinks the pressure is getting to Piastri as he appears more frustrated with McLaren’s decisions and Norris gaining on him in the standings. Team orders have created speculation that the Woking outfit may be favouring the Aussie’s teammate.

Team principal Andrea Stella has made a promise to Piastri’s camp that he will analyse the situation and reassure them that no one is being prioritised in the title fight. McLaren want to keep things as fair as possible, even if their drivers have the freedom to fight.

With six races to go, and three Sprints on top of that, the title fight is still open. What McLaren must ensure, however, is that they do not allow Verstappen to get too close; he sits 63 points behind Piastri, having sat more than 100 points behind just weeks ago.