Max Verstappen Criticizes McLaren's Papaya Rules

Max Verstappen has publicly criticized McLaren's 'papaya rules', labeling them as 'nonsense' and suggesting they complicate communication between drivers during races. Introduced mid-season, these rules aimed to manage on-track battles between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, but Verstappen dismissed them as unnecessary, expressing that he would tell his engineer to 'shut up' if given similar instructions. Despite Verstappen's dismissive stance, McLaren's strategy proved effective, helping them to secure the constructors' championship for the first time in over two decades. The term 'papaya' refers to McLaren's racing color and was intended to encourage cautious racing among teammates. Verstappen instead advocated for straightforward communication, such as simply stating 'you are allowed to race'. As Verstappen prepares for the 2025 season, he continues to seek clarity regarding his own teammate amidst speculation about Sergio Perez's future with Red Bull.