Zak Brown believes Formula 1 should work towards fully independent teams. The McLaren CEO has long spoken out against structures where multiple teams fall under the same owner and would like to see the FIA adjust the regulations. According to Brown, the sport is now healthy enough to continue without such collaborations. “I don’t think that’s healthy for the sport,” Brown says.
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Zak Brown emphasizes that his stance on team alliances is not new. The American has been advocating for years for a Formula 1 grid where all teams operate completely independently, without shared ownership or close collaborations. He points to the structure of Red Bull and Racing Bulls. “I’ve been hammering on this for ten years. Whether it’s A-teams, B-teams, or shared ownership, ultimately it has the same effect,” Brown says during a press event in Monaco.
‘Eleven independent teams’
According to Brown, Formula 1 has now reached a position where such a change is actually possible. The financial situation of the teams has improved significantly in recent years, making their dependence on larger organizations less necessary, he believes. “I have also spoken about this with Toto Wolff and with several other teams. Philosophically, I think they all agree. Formula 1 is healthier today than ever, and because of that, we can truly have independent teams,” he explains.
The McLaren CEO therefore hopes that the FIA will further tighten the current regulations. According to Brown, all teams must operate under exactly the same conditions and exclusively represent their own interests. “You want eleven independent teams that you know are racing entirely for themselves. They all have to adhere to the same financial rules. Over the years, we have seen enough situations where discussions arose about this. Now it is important to create rules that guarantee complete independence,” Brown concludes.
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