FIA on alert over Wolff–Alpine deal as Ben Sulayem warns: “Personally, I am against it”
The FIA, through its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has responded to growing concerns in the Formula 1 paddock regarding so-called “B teams”, following comments made by McLaren CEO Zak Brown.
Brown’s attack on team interdependence
The latest political dispute in Formula 1 revolves around the increasing level of interdependence between teams, often referred to as “B teams”. Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix weekend, McLaren CEO Zak Brown launched a direct criticism of this structure within the sport.
The American executive questioned Red Bull’s multi-team ownership model, which has seen the Austrian company operate both Red Bull and Racing Bulls for nearly two decades. He also highlighted the close technical and personnel collaboration between Ferrari and Haas, as well as the potential investment involving Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Alpine.
Wolff and Mercedes are currently in talks to acquire a 24% stake in the Enstone-based team, which has been put up for sale by the investment fund Otro Capital.
Ben Sulayem speaks out against Wolff–Alpine link
Zak Brown’s concerns appear to have found an important point of support in FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. According to Reuters, the FIA president addressed journalists in Miami and stated that he is “personally against” this type of interdependence between teams on the Formula 1 grid.
“As long as you are not trying to acquire it because you don’t want others to acquire it, or even to gain more voting power when it comes to regulations, then perhaps it is fine,” the FIA president explained.
“But in general I believe owning two (teams) is not the right path. That is my personal view, but we are examining the matter because it is a complex area.”
Red Bull interest and paddock speculation
With reports also linking former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner to potential interest in Alpine shares, speculation in the paddock suggested that Wolff’s possible investment could also be motivated by an attempt to block his long-time rival from entering the sport through ownership.
However, that narrative has already been denied by the parties involved.
It now remains to be seen whether the FIA will take an official stance on this sensitive issue or whether Ben Sulayem’s comments will remain personal opinion. A potential veto on Wolff’s involvement with Alpine could also reopen questions about the legitimacy of Red Bull’s long-standing dual-team structure under the same ownership model.
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