McLaren CEO Zak Brown is pushing the FIA to crack down on common ownership structures in Formula 1. He sent a six-page letter to President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, explicitly targeting reports of Mercedes acquiring a stake in Alpine. Brown argues the existing Red Bull/Racing Bulls model, grandfathered in from two decades ago, cannot become the norm. This isn't just about corporate diagrams; Brown fears competitive integrity is at stake.
He cited issues like the absence of 'gardening leave' between sister teams, potential on-track assistance, and shared resources, all creating a disadvantage for independent outfits. The debate isn't new; major professional sports leagues in the United States and Europe already ban multi-team ownership. Ben Sulayem agrees F1 needs clear rules, and soon. Without decisive action, F1 risks a two-tiered grid where only aligned teams can truly compete.
Read the full story at Autosport