Zak Brown has once again taken aim at one of the most sensitive topics in modern Formula 1: the legality of owning more than one grid team. The McLaren CEO directly pointed his finger at Red Bull, accusing them of maintaining an operational model that, in his view, severely compromises sporting integrity. Former Red Bull driver David Coulthard has since responded, reminding critics of just how much this structural framework has transformed Racing Bulls. It is a high-profile confrontation that reopens an age-old question in the paddock: ultimate team independence or commercial efficiency?
Zak Brown’s stance: A Formula 1 built on true independence
At the start of the year, Brown formally wrote to the FIA to demand stricter regulations preventing single entities from owning multiple teams. For him, the competitive risk is glaringly obvious: two constructors operating under the exact same corporate control can share too much data, wield too much political influence, and heavily skew the competitive balance of the world championship standings.
In his letter, the McLaren boss cited specific instances of close collaboration between Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls, firmly arguing that this dual-ownership model “should be phased out.” It is a political battle that Brown has been spearheading for quite some time. His concerns find strong backing from other influential paddock figures, including Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who has repeatedly emphasized the vital importance of structural independence between competing teams.
David Coulthard’s response: Remembering the origins of Racing Bulls
David Coulthard, a former Red Bull racer and long-time prominent voice in the F1 community, shared his perspective during an episode of the Up to Speed podcast. While he does not deny that the ownership debate is a legitimate conversation, he urges critics to examine the full historical context of the situation.
“Red Bull helped what was a small midfield team become a competitive team. It wasn’t competitive at all when Red Bull acquired shares in it,” Coulthard counter-argued.
This point completely flips the perspective of the narrative: without the substantial financial and technical backing of the Red Bull parent company, would Racing Bulls have ever evolved into the stable outfit it is today? David Coulthard openly acknowledges that there is a growing push within the sport toward total team autonomy, but he also underlines the fact that there is currently no official regulatory directive forcing a structural change.
Until the governing body introduces a completely different rulebook, Red Bull will continue to operate exactly as it always has: managing two teams under one shared ecosystem—a blueprint that, at least so far, has delivered undeniable on-track results.
The wider battle over F1 governance
Consequently, this escalating discussion goes far beyond day-to-day track action, cutting straight to the core of modern Formula 1 governance. Does multi-team ownership represent an unfair competitive advantage that fundamentally disrupts the balance of the grid? Or is it a vital survival mechanism that fosters the growth of smaller teams that would otherwise struggle to remain financially viable and competitive on their own?
Where Zak Brown sees a distinct threat to sporting fairness, David Coulthard sees a proven commercial opportunity that has already demonstrated its worth to the sport. As is so often the case in the high-stakes political landscape of Formula 1, the ultimate truth likely lies in the delicate balance between these two conflicting philosophies.
In summary, the intense debate surrounding multi-team ownership highlights a widening political rift in the paddock, with Zak Brown demanding a push for total independence while David Coulthard defends Red Bull’s dual-team ecosystem as a crucial asset for grid stability.
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