McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has once again taken aim at multi‑ownership structures in Formula 1, warning that they threaten the sport’s integrity. His remarks come as reports surface that Mercedes is evaluating a minority purchase of a 24 per cent share in Alpine, currently held by US investor Otro Capital. Brown says any deeper tie blurs the line between rivals in the near term.

Brown’s gripe targets what he dubs “A‑B teams” – outfits linked by ownership or technical partnerships that enjoy an unfair advantage. Historic cases include Red Bull running two squads since 2005 and Ferrari’s long‑standing customer deal with Haas. Renault remains Alpine’s majority owner, while Flavio Briatore likens the 75‑25 split to a passenger seat in a corporation and regulatory scrutiny.

During the latest Concorde Agreement talks, Brown urged regulators to restrict team ties to pure power‑unit supply, arguing any further integration erodes competition. He cited the 2024 Singapore GP, where a point scored by Racing Bulls indirectly aided Red Bull, as evidence of hidden advantages. Brown concluded that all eleven entries must remain fully independent to preserve sport fairness for fans and sponsors.