Max Verstappen Believes McLaren’s Papaya Rules Are of Little Concern to Him
Max Verstappen, the Red Bull champion, has downplayed the significance of McLaren’s internal “Papaya Rules” in his pursuit of the 2024 Formula 1 title. Speaking to media, including Sportskeeda in Mexico, Verstappen emphasized that his focus remains firmly on his own performance and car.
### McLaren’s Papaya Rules and Intra-Team Battle
Currently, McLaren’s drivers are managing their rivalry carefully under unwritten rules aimed at preventing clashes between teammates, maintaining harmony within the team. This situation could indirectly benefit Verstappen in the championship fight.
The Dutchman already gained an advantage from a collision between McLaren drivers at the Austin GP, which helped him reduce the points gap to both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
When asked about McLaren’s internal dynamics and whether their “Papaya Rules” might play into his hands, Verstappen brushed off the question. He stated, “No, that’s not really my problem, is it? I think as a team, they decide what they want to do, right? With the rules. I just focus on my own performances. And for me, what is the most important is that we have a competitive car. So if we have a competitive car and a chance to beat them, we will. So that’s the only thing that I’m focused on.”
### Verstappen on Risk and Title Chances
As Verstappen edges closer to potentially clinching his fifth world title, he noted that the risk factor in qualifying or during the opening corners remains unchanged. The Dutchman explained that even in the worst-case scenario, finishing third would not severely impact his championship hopes.
He remarked, “No, I think it’s still the same. I mean, worst case, I finished P3, right, so nothing really changes. I just want to try and win races to the end of the season. I hope it’s possible every weekend, but it’s impossible to know at the moment. We are on a good run, and we also know as a team that it needs to be perfect in the end to have a chance. So if it works, and yeah, great, unbelievable comeback. If it doesn’t work, you know, you just continue. You can be proud at the end of the season of the performance that we’ve had. We’re not slipping in performance. But we’ll worry about that in Abu Dhabi.”
### Current Championship Standings and Outlook
At present, Max Verstappen trails McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 40 points and Lando Norris by 26 points in the drivers’ championship. With five races and two sprint rounds remaining, Verstappen will need to win every remaining event until the season finale in Abu Dhabi to keep his title hopes alive.
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**About the Author**
Niharika Ghorpade is a journalist covering Formula 1 and NASCAR for Sportskeeda. Coming from a motor-racing background, she is one of the few Indian journalists with a presence in the F1 paddock and stands as the only Indian female journalist in the sport. Niharika holds a Bachelor’s degree and has expertise in SEO and journalism guidelines, with a passion for crafting engaging narratives for racing fans.
*Edited by Tushhita Barua*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/max-verstappen-sidesteps-questions-papaya-rules-continues-surge-championship-contender
