Zak Brown sent a letter to Ben Sulayem requesting regulatory changes to prevent new strategic alliances. The German interest in acquiring 24% of the French team reignites the debate about so called "satellite teams".
Formula 1 once again faces a debate that has been entrenched for almost two decades, the origin of the problem dates back to 2005, when Red Bull, in its debut year, bought Minardi and created Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls), since then, the two team structure under a single owner has been tolerated, but never fully accepted. Now, Mercedes' attempt to acquire a "satellite team" has reignited the controversy.
The German brand's main candidate is Alpine. Flavio Briatore, special advisor to the French team, confirmed in March Mercedes' interest in acquiring the 24% of shares currently owned by Otro Capital. The investment group seeks to sell its minority stake and leave Formula 1 with a significant profit. The operation, not yet closed, would turn Mercedes into a strategic partner of the Enstone team, which has already been using its engines since 2026.
The news did not sit well at Woking, Zak Brown, McLaren's CEO, has filed a formal complaint with the FIA. In a letter addressed to the president of the governing body, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the American requests regulatory changes to prevent this type of association in the future.
"It has become increasingly evident that these structures generate unintended but very real consequences, we must eliminate any additional alliances, whether through ownership, strategic participation or any other equivalent form of control or influence" Brown wrote.
McLaren's argument is well known, Red Bull has used Racing Bulls as a development team for its young drivers, giving them experience in F1 before making the jump to the main team, that represents a competitive advantage that the rest of the teams do not have. Brown had already shown his rejection of this model in the past, calling it "not healthy for the sport."
McLaren's CEO, however, did not mention any specific team in his letter, he spoke of "A" and "B" structures, but the target was evident. Brown's dual objective is clear, to stop Mercedes' operation with Alpine and, in passing, to force the FIA to review Red Bull's model, something he has not achieved so far.
The Federation's position, for now, is cautious, Ben Sulayem has received the letter, but has not officially commented. The FIA president knows that any regulatory change in this direction would require the consensus of the teams, and not all agree. Red Bull, obviously, defends its structure and Mercedes, if it finally closes the purchase of Alpine, would do the same.
In the meantime, the paddock prepares for the Canadian Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, the fifth round of the championship will have a sprint format, which adds an extra layer of unpredictability, but off the track, the political battle has already begun.
