The debate over multiple team ownership in Formula 1 is gaining momentum—but Red Bull considers the current rules sufficient
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has indicated that the team would support further measures aimed at clarifying team alliances. This comes in the wake of recent demands from McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who has critically questioned Red Bull’s ownership structure and the relationships between the group’s two Formula 1 teams.
Brown recently wrote to FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem, reiterating his long-standing concerns regarding multiple ownership in Formula 1. The focus is on the connection between Red Bull Racing and its sister team, Racing Bulls.
The discussion has gained additional traction due to reports of a possible investment by U.S. investor Oracle Capital Partners in Alpine. According to these reports, a 24 percent minority stake is being considered.
Debate on multiple ownership in Formula 1
Mekies emphasizes that Brown’s statements are part of an ongoing process and represent a healthy debate within Formula 1.
“What Zak expressed, as a representative of McLaren’s opinion and position, is part of a process that we welcome, ultimately to help everyone,” says Mekies. “McLaren can present and explain its position. I would be very pleased if, one day, the stakeholders in Formula 1 were to have a discussion about the fact that this system with independent constructors is potentially very strong and that this principle should be protected.”
According to Mekies, the debate is primarily about ensuring that the rules of Formula 1 are consistently enforced.
Red Bull Open to Further Steps
“The reason we want this point to be discussed is that, from a practical standpoint, there is no way to tighten the rules any further. We are already at a point today where Formula 1 has implemented everything we wanted to fully implement, so that fairness in the sport and in competition is fully achieved.”
Mekies also explains that Red Bull understands Brown’s concerns. He points out that Formula 1 has introduced numerous measures in recent years to ensure the teams’ independence.
“We want all teams to operate independently on the track, and we have taken many steps over the past months, years, and decades to ensure ever-greater independence for every team,” says the Frenchman.
Ownership structure not the core issue from Red Bull’s perspective
At the same time, Mekies made it clear that Red Bull would support further measures if Formula 1 stakeholders deemed them necessary.
“If any stakeholder, be it another team or anyone else, were of the opinion that further steps are needed to ensure that teams are truly independent, we would support that. We do not see this as a matter of further ownership structures.“
Mekies further explains: ”We believe that every single regulation and every single mechanism is in place to ensure that every supply relationship, every supply chain, every partnership, and every collaboration is completely independent.”
Mekies ready for transparency
Mekies adds: “We fully support any further steps to ensure that, regardless of our strategic partnership or ownership structure, the race is run independently today and tomorrow. We will support and promote any further measures we deem necessary.”
Racing Bull team principal Alan Permane also rejects the criticism and sees no issues with the current collaboration with Red Bull Racing.
“Our relationship with Red Bull Racing is much stronger than with any other team,” says Permane. “We source some components from them, take the gearbox from them, and various other parts that are permitted. The technical regulations clearly define what is allowed.”
Permane Unfazed by Accusations
Permane also points to his many years of experience in Formula 1 and emphasizes that the applicable regulations are being followed.
“I have worked in teams that had no relationship with another team, as well as in teams with such a connection. As far as I can tell, the rules are being respected. Many people are working to ensure that this remains the case. That is why I see no problem with our current way of working.”
