FIA Investigates Controversial Multi-Team F1 Ownership

FIA has officially confirmed it is investigating the controversial issue of multi-team ownership in Formula 1 following renewed debate surrounding sporting integrity during the 2026 season.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem revealed that the governing body is currently evaluating the ethical and sporting implications of ownership structures involving more than one Formula 1 team. The comments come amid continued scrutiny of the relationship between Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls, as well as growing interest from Mercedes in acquiring a stake in Alpine.

Red Bull has operated two Formula 1 teams for more than two decades, but questions surrounding the independence of both organisations have remained a constant topic inside the paddock. The debate intensified further last season after former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies was rapidly promoted to replace Christian Horner at Red Bull following the leadership change.

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“We are looking into whether this is really the right thing,” Ben Sulayem explained.

The latest controversy emerged following reports linking Mercedes with a potential acquisition of the 24 percent stake in the Alpine F1 Team currently owned by investor group Otro Capital. The consortium includes several high-profile names such as Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Patrick Mahomes, and Rory McIlroy.

From a business perspective, the value of Alpine’s shares has reportedly increased dramatically since the original 200 million euro investment made in 2023, with estimates now placing the stake’s value closer to 800 million euros. The situation has reignited concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest if major Formula 1 manufacturers begin influencing multiple teams simultaneously.

Zak Brown has become one of the strongest critics of the current system. The McLaren CEO argues that cross-team ownership structures threaten the integrity of modern Formula 1 competition.

“Co-ownership is prohibited in almost all major sports today because it risks compromising competitive fairness,” Brown recently stated.

From a regulatory perspective, the FIA is now attempting to define the boundary between acceptable commercial investment and ownership structures that could influence sporting decisions, political negotiations, or voting power regarding future regulations.

Ben Sulayem himself admitted he is personally not fully supportive of the concept of owning multiple Formula 1 teams. According to the FIA president, the issue extends beyond financial investment and touches directly on sporting integrity and competitive balance.

“If we lose the sporting spirit, then support for this system could disappear,” Ben Sulayem added.

The debate surrounding multi-team ownership is expected to become one of Formula 1’s biggest political issues over the coming seasons, particularly as the championship approaches the next major regulatory era and team valuations continue to increase significantly.

With the FIA now beginning a formal evaluation of current ownership structures, any future decision could have major implications for the commercial model of modern Formula 1 and the competitive balance across the paddock.