Zak Brown escalates team alliance crusade in letter to FIA

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has formally escalated his campaign against team alliances by sending a six-page letter to FIA President Ben Sulayem, calling for rules to eliminate any form of co-ownership or strategic partnerships between teams.

Why it matters:

With Formula 1 enjoying unprecedented financial health and 11 independent teams, Brown argues that multi-team ownership undermines sporting integrity. The issue has resurfaced amid Mercedes' interest in taking a stake in Alpine, though Brown insists his stance applies to all.

The details:

• Letter content: Brown cites specific incidents where alliances compromised fairness—Daniel Ricciardo taking fastest lap for Racing Bulls at the 2024 Singapore GP to deny McLaren a point, and Liam Lawson moving aside for Max Verstappen at the recent Miami GP.
• Personnel concerns: He questions why Rob Marshall had to serve a nine-month gardening leave to move from Red Bull to McLaren, while Laurent Mekies switched from Racing Bulls to Red Bull in days. Andrea Landi’s pending move from Racing Bulls to Red Bull on July 1 reinforces the perception of weak firewalls.
• Shared resources: Brown warns that shared wind tunnels and software give allied teams advantages unavailable to independents.
• FIA's stance: Ben Sulayem has already voiced personal opposition to owning two teams, telling media in Miami that he is looking into the matter.

What's next:

Brown offered to discuss the issue with Ben Sulayem and confirmed McLaren will propose regulatory changes. The FIA is reviewing the legality and sporting implications of current alliances, setting the stage for potential rule tightening.