Zak Brown has reignited the debate surrounding second teams in F1 — but where should the line be drawn?
The debate over whether F1 teams should be allowed to own or control a second outfit has resurfaced, spearheaded by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown’s criticism of the practice.
Brown emphasizes the potential risks to sporting fairness posed by such A/B team structures, particularly in light of Red Bull’s dual team ownership arrangement.
He believes that shared ownership can lead to compromised competitive integrity, as demonstrated by incidents like Daniel Ricciardo’s fastest lap indirectly affecting McLaren’s Lando Norris during a race in 2024.
Operational benefits, such as resource sharing and staff movement between sister teams, are seen by Brown as granting an unfair financial and competitive edge to teams with multiple outfits.
The discussion has expanded beyond Red Bull, with Mercedes rumored to be considering involvement with Alpine, prompting further scrutiny within the sport.
Brown’s firm stance is that all F1 teams should strive for maximum independence to maintain the integrity and competitiveness of the championship.
As the sport navigates the complexities of technical partnerships and commercial interests, defining the boundaries of team ownership remains a pressing issue in F1.
