President Mohamed Ben Sulayem questions the "sporting spirit" of dual ownership as officials investigate whether Red Bull’s multi-team alliance creates unfair advantages in competition and governance.
Mohamed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, has publicly questioned the legitimacy of Red Bull Racing's two-constructor structure in Formula 1 and confirmed that the governing body has launched a formal review into whether operating two teams within the same championship is compatible with the sport's core principles.
Red Bull currently fields two full entries — the senior Red Bull Racing outfit and the junior team known as Racing Bulls — an arrangement that has been a source of friction for several of the sport's other major stakeholders, with Mercedes and McLaren among those who have raised concerns about the competitive and governance implications of a single entity controlling two sets of votes in regulatory matters.
Ben Sulayem addressed the issue directly in comments published by RacingNews365: "I feel that owning two teams — as long as it is for the right reason — and what is the right reason? As long as you are not trying to take ownership to stop others from doing so, or to gain voting power on regulations, then perhaps it is acceptable. But I think having two teams is not the right thing. That is my personal opinion".
"We are looking at it because it is a complex matter. We have put our people to work to review whether it is possible. Is it permitted? Is it the right thing?" He also invoked a concept that sits at the heart of competitive sport: "There is something called sporting spirit. I agree with what happens here, but if we lose that spirit, I think there will no longer be support. So, personally, I am not entirely convinced."
Red Bull's junior team has historically functioned as a development pipeline, with stars such as Carlos Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo, and Yuki Tsunoda all passing through Racing Bulls on their way up.
Why Has the FIA Been at Odds With Red Bull?
Red Bull Racing, with Max Verstappen leading the charge, has dominated the Formula 1 championships in recent years, with the Dutch driver claiming four Drivers' World Championships with the Milton Keynes team. An additional layer of friction stems from Verstappen's fierce public criticism of the 2026 regulations.
While Norris and Pérez have also expressed their reservations, Verstappen has been by far the most forceful and consistent critic — a posture that has led to a series of pointed exchanges between the sport's leadership and the man widely considered the finest driver of his generation.
The FIA's formal review of Red Bull's two-team structure adds yet another dimension to an already complex relationship, and the outcome of that process could have far-reaching consequences for how the sport's governance frameworks are structured in the years ahead.
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