Zak Brown Criticises F1 Sister Teams Over Fairness Concerns

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Zak Brown of McLaren Racing has reignited debate over the legitimacy of sister team structures in Formula 1, arguing that multi-team ownership poses a direct risk to competitive integrity.

At the centre of the discussion is the long-established model operated by Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. While both teams are officially independent entries, their shared ownership framework has consistently raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest within a tightly contested championship environment.

Brown has taken a firm stance against the concept of A/B teams, stressing that such arrangements should be phased out as quickly as possible. He argues that any level of coordination—intentional or structural—between affiliated teams introduces the possibility of influencing race outcomes.

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“I think A/B teams, we need to get away from as much as possible, as quickly as possible,” Brown stated.

“They run a real high risk of compromising the integrity of sporting fairness.”

One of the most frequently cited examples occurred during the 2024 season, when a fastest lap set by Daniel Ricciardo impacted the points battle involving Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. The incident has been referenced as a case where actions from an affiliated team could indirectly alter the competitive landscape.

“We’ve seen it play out on track in a sporting way,” Brown added.

Beyond race-day scenarios, Brown also highlighted operational advantages enjoyed by teams under shared ownership. The ability to transfer personnel between sister teams without the regulatory or financial constraints faced by independent outfits creates, in his view, both a financial and sporting imbalance.

“It creates an unfair financial advantage and an unfair sporting advantage,” he explained.

The scope of the debate has expanded beyond Red Bull, particularly amid speculation that Mercedes AMG Petronas could take a stake in Alpine F1 Team. Despite McLaren Racing itself being a customer of Mercedes power units, Brown emphasised that technical partnerships should represent the upper limit of collaboration, without extending into ownership or control.

Ultimately, Brown’s position is centred on the principle of independence across the grid, advocating for a structure in which each team operates without shared ownership ties that could compromise competitive neutrality.

“All 11 teams should be absolutely as independent as possible,” he concluded.

However, in a championship shaped by complex technical alliances, commercial agreements, and resource sharing, achieving complete independence remains a significant regulatory and structural challenge for Formula 1 moving forward.