Zak Brown letter to FIA on Formula 1: A real concern that the sport risks taking a step backwards

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has formally written to the FIA urging a crackdown on multi-team ownership structures and alliances in Formula 1, calling for the elimination of 'A/B-style relationships,' ownership links, and strategic partnerships between competing teams. The letter, sent on 15 May 2026, was prompted in part by reports of Mercedes-Benz Group's potential interest in acquiring a stake in Alpine F1 Team, though Brown stated his concerns extend beyond any single case. Brown argued that Formula 1's current cost cap framework has created the conditions for full team independence, warning that further alliances risk undermining the sport's integrity and fairness.