What changes McLaren have made to the papaya rules for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to help Lando Norris

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McLaren have the opportunity to win both championships for the first time this century but don’t appear to be tackling the situation in the most effective way.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull are vulnerable for the first time in years and while their lead in the Constructors’ Championship has been reduced to single figures, Verstappen is still a long way clear of Lando Norris in the drivers’ standings.

Team principal Andrea Stella watched on in Monza as Oscar Piastri dived down the inside of Norris on the opening lap to take the lead, dashing the Brit’s chances of recording back-to-back wins after his dominant performance at Zandvoort.

Charles Leclerc’s bold strategy earned him the win but Piastri still finished ahead of his teammate, meaning he only gained eight points on Verstappen in the championship.

With just eight race weekends left, Norris is leaving it very late to catch the 26-year-old especially as Helmut Marko believes Red Bull could be competitive again in Austin.

A report from Formu1a.uno has explained what might be about to change in McLaren’s team orders.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

Known as the papaya rules, McLaren have allowed both of their drivers to race fairly up to this point.

However, that may be about to change as the team recognise the unexpected opportunity they’ve been presented by Red Bull.

McLaren changes to the papaya rules coming that could benefit Lando Norris

The papaya rules in Monza allowed McLaren’s drivers to race and overtake each other but Stella has recognised that not only was this not beneficial to Norris but could have ended up ruining both of their races.

Norris admitted in his post-race interview that if he had braked a metre later, there was a chance both cars would have been out of the race before the end of the first lap.

The report from Formu1a.uno suggests that for the first time, Stella has decided he needs to intervene in the current papaya rules.

McLaren will now support Norris more due to his 44-point advantage over Piastri although it’s yet to be seen exactly what that means.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from height and parents to celebration

It can be assumed that this means if Piastri and Norris are running one behind the other, Norris will be prioritised.

Piastri may also be prevented from attacking his teammate although he’s shown over the last few races that he’s just as quick – if not faster – than Norris at times.

However, it’s also been suggested that Norris needs to up his game as well and support McLaren’s decision to prioritise him from here on out.

How the F1 paddock sees McLaren’s team orders predicament

McLaren haven’t been a consistent race-winning manufacturer for some time, so it’s understandable that they’re not used to being in the situations they’ve found themselves in this season.

Red Bull and Mercedes have proved with their handling of Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s title campaign that they can be ruthless at times.

It’s a situation McLaren need to prepare for, although they would argue their driver line-up is much more equal than their rivals who could prioritise a number one driver.

The F1 paddock has been left surprised by some of McLaren’s decision making and while it may cost them the Drivers’ Championship, if it creates some long-term harmony within the camp then it may be seen as beneficial.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend

Preparing for the future by ignoring the present is a very dangerous game in Formula 1.

If McLaren appease Piastri this year but then don’t have a title-challenging car in 2025 or beyond, it’ll end up being a sacrifice they’ve made for no reason.