Tensions within the Formula 1 paddock have intensified after Zak Brown formally urged FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to introduce sweeping changes aimed at ending close partnerships between so-called “A and B teams” in the sport.
The McLaren chief has long voiced concerns over the competitive relationship between Red Bull Racing and sister outfit Racing Bulls, but recent speculation surrounding a possible investment from Mercedes-Benz Group in Alpine F1 Team appears to have reignited the debate.
Currently, Red Bull remains the only organisation on the Formula 1 grid that owns and operates two separate teams. After acquiring Minardi in 2005 and transforming it into Toro Rosso, the Faenza-based squad has evolved through several identities including AlphaTauri, VCARB and now Racing Bulls. Despite the rebrands, its ties to Red Bull have remained firmly intact, often serving as both a development platform for emerging drivers and, according to critics, a strategic extension of the senior team during race weekends.
Brown’s latest intervention came in the form of a strongly worded letter sent directly to the FIA president, where he warned that Formula 1 risks damaging its competitive credibility if such alliances continue unchecked.
In the letter, Brown highlighted several controversial incidents which he believes demonstrate how close affiliations between teams can influence championship outcomes. One of the examples referenced was the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, where Racing Bulls driver Daniel Ricciardo secured the fastest lap, denying Lando Norris an additional championship point during his title battle with Max Verstappen.
Brown also cited events from the recent Miami Grand Prix, where Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson was reportedly instructed to move aside for Verstappen during the race. According to Brown, such scenarios create the perception that one organisation can use two teams to gain a competitive advantage.
Writing to Ben Sulayem, Brown warned that Formula 1 could be moving backwards in terms of sporting fairness despite years of work to make the championship more competitive and transparent.
The McLaren CEO additionally expressed frustration regarding the sharing of resources between Red Bull and Racing Bulls. Among the areas he identified were shared wind tunnel facilities, software systems and the movement of personnel between the two operations.
Brown compared the situation to McLaren’s own experience when recruiting respected engineer Rob Marshall from Red Bull. McLaren reportedly had to wait nine months before Marshall could officially begin work due to contractual restrictions. Brown argued that the same standards do not appear to apply internally within the Red Bull structure.
He pointed to the rapid promotion of Laurent Mekies from Racing Bulls to Red Bull team principal following the departure of Christian Horner, as well as Andrea Landi’s move between the two teams, as further evidence that the separation between both outfits may not be sufficient.
According to Brown, these internal transitions strengthen concerns that the so-called “firewalls” between the organisations are ineffective compared to what would normally be expected between fully independent competitors.
The American executive has now called for Formula 1’s governing body to begin dismantling these types of relationships entirely. He argued that the championship should prevent any future alliances involving ownership structures, strategic influence or operational control between teams.
Brown insisted that the FIA and Formula 1 owners Liberty Media have already helped create one of the most competitive eras in the sport’s history through cost caps and stronger financial regulations. However, he believes eliminating interconnected team structures is the final step needed to guarantee complete parity across the grid.
He concluded by stating that Formula 1 is thriving more than ever, but warned that preserving the integrity of the championship must remain the sport’s top priority moving forward.
