Zak Brown, the chief executive of McLaren, has reiterated his disapproval of close ties between Formula 1 teams, citing concerns over the sport's integrity. This comes as Mercedes considers purchasing a minority stake in Alpine. Brown has long been critical of what he terms 'A-B teams,' where one team has a significant relationship with another through ownership or technical partnerships.
He believes such arrangements compromise the sport's integrity and advocates for teams to maintain their independence, with the exception of engine supply agreements. Brown's comments were made amid reports that Mercedes is interested in acquiring a 24% stake in Alpine, currently held by Otro Capital.
The Renault Group is Alpine's majority owner, and executive advisor Flavio Briatore noted that in most companies, a 75% stake typically holds decision-making power. Brown's stance applies to all teams, regardless of their involvement, and he hopes to see a more level playing field in the future. He cited examples of how close team ties can lead to unfair advantages, such as the transfer of staff and intellectual property between teams.
Brown also drew comparisons to other sports, such as the Premier League, where teams owned by the same group could potentially influence the outcome of matches. The McLaren CEO has raised his concerns during Concorde Agreement discussions and believes that while some teams may recognize the potential issues, the practice should not be expanded. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated that they are not seeking to create a junior team in Alpine but are exploring the possibility of a minority investment. Other parties, including a consortium involving former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, have also expressed interest in the shares.