Daniel Ricciardo has once again found himself at the center of a wider Formula 1 debate, even after his final appearance in the sport. This time, it’s Zak Brown using that moment to highlight concerns about what he sees as a growing issue in F1—teams operating with closely linked “A and B” structures.
Brown, who previously worked with Ricciardo during his stint at McLaren between 2021 and 2022, has been outspoken about his opposition to shared ownership across teams. His comments come amid speculation that Mercedes could acquire a significant stake in Alpine F1 Team—a move that could potentially mirror the dual-team structure long associated with Red Bull Racing.
The Red Bull model dates back to 2006, when the energy drink giant acquired Minardi and rebranded it as Toro Rosso. Over the years, that team has evolved through identities such as AlphaTauri and Racing Bulls, but its purpose has remained largely consistent: developing young drivers and occasionally supporting Red Bull’s broader competitive goals.
It’s this latter role that Brown takes issue with, pointing to a controversial moment during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. In what turned out to be Ricciardo’s final race, he secured the fastest lap—earning an extra championship point. However, that point didn’t just add to his own tally; it had strategic consequences. By taking the fastest lap, Ricciardo effectively denied Lando Norris the opportunity to claim it, indirectly benefiting Max Verstappen in the championship battle.
Red Bull openly acknowledged the tactical nature of that move, with Verstappen even expressing gratitude toward Ricciardo afterward. For Brown, this moment serves as a clear example of why he believes such team relationships can undermine fair competition.
Speaking on the issue, Brown reiterated his long-standing stance, emphasizing that shared ownership or aligned teams risk blurring competitive boundaries. He argued that situations where one team can influence outcomes in favor of another—even indirectly—pose a threat to the integrity of the sport.
While multi-team structures have been part of Formula 1 for nearly two decades, the debate around their fairness appears far from settled. Brown’s remarks suggest that, as the grid evolves and new investment opportunities arise, scrutiny over these relationships is only likely to intensify.