The CEO of McLaren Racing, Zak Brown, has expressed his concern regarding the modeling of ‘A’ and ‘B’ type teams in Formula 1, stating that it may compromise the integrity of the competition. This statement arises in light of controversies surrounding connections between teams over recent years, and the recent example of Red Bull having two teams under its banner.
The executive commented that the recent hiring of Andrea Landi as head of performance at Red Bull, who previously held a similar position at Racing Bulls, is a disturbing example of how close connections between teams can generate unfair advantages. His criticism is placed within a broader context, where the existence of teams with the same owner can erode the necessary independence for fair competition.
Brown referenced past episodes where relationships between teams have affected track results, such as the case of Daniel Ricciardo, which harmed McLaren at a critical moment in the championship. He also mentioned the controversial vehicle of Racing Point, known as the ‘Pink Mercedes’, which resulted in a penalty for the team due to its design being similar to that of the previous Mercedes unit.
Regarding the team model, Brown defended the idea that each team should be as independent as possible, and that co-ownership between teams, as in the case of Red Bull, should be avoided as much as possible. He insisted that any implementation of new ownership models should be analyzed carefully to avoid compromising the essence of sports competition.
Finally, Brown reminded that discussions about the team model have been a topic in the negotiations of the Concorde Agreement, and called on the FIA to continue monitoring team relationships and ensure that the championship remains fair and transparent for fans.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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