Formula 1 has once again seen intense debate about “A and B” teams after direct criticism from Zak Brown. The McLaren CEO stated that this model represents a risk to sporting fairness.
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The topic gains traction at a time of increased technological exchange between teams. For Brown, this could alienate fans by compromising the perception of equality in the competition.
The executive cited cases such as Red Bull and Racing Bulls, which belong to the same group, in addition to the close relationship between Haas and Ferrari. According to him, this type of structure can generate sporting and financial advantages that are difficult to balance.
“We need to move away from A and B teams as quickly as possible,” Brown said. He also warned that co-ownership and the movement of staff and technical knowledge create imbalances within the budget cap.
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Brown recalled recent situations that raised questions, such as personnel exchanges between teams and episodes that influenced on-track results. He stated that this scenario could compromise the integrity of the sport if clearer limits are not established.
To illustrate, the executive compared it to football, suggesting that teams with the same owner could influence results. Still, he reiterated that his criticism is not directed at a specific team, but rather at the model as a whole, which he considers “unhealthy” for Formula 1.
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