McLaren CEO Zak Brown Opposes Mercedes' Potential Stake in Alpine, Warns of Competitive Imbalance

Zak Brown has taken a firm stand against the prospect of Mercedes acquiring a minority stake in Alpine, sending a six-page letter to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The McLaren CEO argues that common ownership of multiple F1 teams threatens the sport's competitive integrity, pointing to the Red Bull–Racing Bulls model as a cautionary example.

Why it matters:

This issue strikes at the heart of F1's governance. With regulatory changes on the horizon and teams increasingly seeking strategic alliances, the absence of clear rules on multi-team ownership could create an uneven playing field. Brown's letter highlights specific risks—from shared resources to potential on-track coordination—that could undermine the sport's hard-fought parity.

The details:

• Brown's letter was prompted by reports that Mercedes is interested in the 24% minority stake Otro Capital is selling in Alpine.
• He cited examples of competitive advantages in existing arrangements, such as the lack of gardening leave restrictions at Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls.
• On-track assistance: Brown referenced Daniel Ricciardo's fastest lap at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix as a case where a driver may have aided a sister team.
• Sporting integrity: Meetings where regulatory matters are discussed could be compromised if teams share owners.
• Resource sharing: Common ownership enables sharing of intellectual property and personnel, giving an edge over independent teams.

What's next:

The FIA's Ben Sulayem acknowledged the need to regulate this area, which currently lacks specific rules. F1's leadership has shown willingness to address emerging issues quickly, as seen with recent responses to 2026 regulation complaints. A formal proposal or framework could be developed in the coming months to prevent multi-team ownership from spreading further.