Overview
- Responding to reports that Mercedes may buy a 24% stake in Alpine from investor Otro Capital, Zak Brown repeated his call to stop any new co-ownership or A/B team tie-ups in Formula 1.
- He argued that shared owners or tightly aligned ‘A/B’ teams undermine fair play because fans expect each of the 11 entrants to act as fully independent competitors.
- To show the risks, he cited Daniel Ricciardo taking fastest lap in Singapore 2024 to aid Red Bull, the Racing Point brake-duct copying case, and staff moving quickly between Red Bull and Racing Bulls while rivals face long waits or costs.
- He noted Concorde Agreement talks even broached Red Bull divesting one of its two teams, saying creating fresh alliances now would move the sport in the wrong direction.
- Brown added that he would welcome Christian Horner’s return to the paddock, with Horner linked in reports to Alpine, stressing his stance targets ownership structures rather than individuals.