While several paddock players are calling for stronger guarantees of independence between teams, Red Bull says it is ready to support possible reforms, even against its own interests.
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The debate around multiple ownership of Formula 1 teams could soon enter a new phase of guarantees of independence between teams.
At the heart of the discussions is the relationship between Red Bull Racing and its sister structure Racing Bulls. For several months, some competitors have been questioning the benefits that Red Bull gains from the possibility of sharing certain resources or moving personnel between its two entities.
Among the most critical voices is Zak Brown, who advocates for stricter regulation of strategic alliances and cross-ownership structures in Formula 1.
Mekies adopts a conciliatory tone
Interviewed in Montreal, Red Bull Racing director Laurent Mekies took a relatively open position on the subject: “We all want to see eleven teams racing completely independently. Formula 1 has already taken many steps in recent years to strengthen this independence.”
The Frenchman even indicated that Red Bull would not oppose new measures if they were deemed necessary by other stakeholders in the championship: “If some actors in the sport, whether another team or an institution, believe that more measures are needed to guarantee this independence, we will support them.”
A notable statement given that the Austrian group regularly finds itself at the center of this debate.
A problem broader than just ownership
For Mekies, the issue is not limited to the ownership of multiple teams by the same group: “We don’t think the subject is just about ownership or strategic partnerships. There are many forms of collaboration in the paddock.”
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The Red Bull Racing team principal points out that links between teams are now multiple: engine supply, gearboxes, suspensions, or even partial stakes in certain structures.
“There are engine manufacturers, gearbox suppliers, technical partnerships, partial or full financial participations. The ecosystem is much more complex than it seems,” he added.
This view suggests that any potential reform should address all existing technical and commercial relationships between teams, and not just ownership structures like Red Bull’s.
No question of selling Racing Bulls
While Red Bull is open to a regulatory evolution, there is no question for the group of calling its current model into question. There is currently no consideration of a possible separation from Racing Bulls.
Mekies insists instead that the goal remains to guarantee fair competition on track, regardless of the links between the structures: “We are fully in favor of any measure that demonstrates that, whatever the strategic relationships or ownership structures, the teams remain independent when they are on track.”
Mekies’ remarks come in a context where Formula 1 is becoming increasingly interconnected technically, commercially, and financially. With the upcoming arrival of new teams and the constant evolution of the regulatory framework, the question of competitors’ independence should continue to fuel discussions.
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