McLaren boss Andrea Stella has admitted the sportsmanship shown between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris could end before the conclusion of the Formula 1 season.
The Woking-based squad has been firm and absolute in its stance of ensuring fairness between both men as they compete with each other for the Drivers’ title.
Ever since last year’s Italian Grand Prix, when the ‘papaya rules’ term was coined, it has been noted that its byword has been allowing both men to race, but without detriment to the team.
And even as Piastri and Norris do battle for F1 supremacy, McLaren has been keen to emphasis and retain the philosophy.
This was even evident during Saturday’s qualifying for this year’s race at Monza, when Piastri was requested to give Norris a tow during Q2 to help the Brit secure a place in Q3.
During the heat of a title battle, many drivers may have let their team-mate be thrown to the wolves rather than help them, but Piastri complied.
Alas, both men are side-by-side on the grid for Sunday’s race, with Norris second, and Piastri third.
When asked for his reaction to Piastri’s compliance to race engineer Tom Stallard’s request, Stella revealed he was certain in the Australian would heed the request.
“Well, it’s an interesting question,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “For some reason, as soon as Tom asked Oscar, I knew Oscar was going to do it.
“I think that’s the quality of the individuals behind the drivers that we have at McLaren. It’s the foundation of the way we go racing.
“If it’s the last race in Abu Dhabi, will we see the same? I can’t say, but at the moment I’m just very proud that these things happen, that Lando and Oscar go racing like they do.
“Having said that, the tow that Oscar gave Lando wasn’t a decisive factor for Lando to go to Q3, but in itself it’s a nice gesture of fairness and sportsmanship that we do like to see.”
Possible Piastri/Norris refusal to comply ‘not the most elegant move’
With Stella admitting a lack of niceties in a potential title showdown situation between the two, the Italian was asked how he would feel if such an eventuality was to happen.
“It’s within the rights of the driver to say I’m not going to do it this time,” he replied.
“I would consider it potentially not the most elegant move, but sometimes racing doesn’t necessarily require elegance as long as you operate within the principles and the rules of the team.”
Piastri is seeking an extension to his 34-point lead in the standings, with Norris itching to close the gap, but both will have to try and find a way past pole-sitter Max Verstappen.
Both men ultimately missed out on top spot in qualifying to the Red Bull man, who snatched it in the final seconds of Q3.
READ MORE – Why Ferrari opted against using Lewis Hamilton to tow Charles Leclerc in F1 Italian GP qualifying
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