Formula One officials are reviewing policies around teams owning stakes in multiple racing operations after reports emerged linking Mercedes to a potential investment in Alpine, which is currently owned by Renault.
Speaking at the Miami Grand Prix, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who leads the International Automobile Federation (FIA), revealed his personal opposition to such arrangements while acknowledging there could be valid justifications for allowing them.
The sport currently permits Red Bull to control both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls, making up two of Formula One’s 11 competing teams. While these organizations function as separate entities, their drivers work under centralized contracts and key personnel can transfer between them without the typical lengthy non-compete periods known as “gardening leave.”
Competitors have raised concerns about this structure, with McLaren’s Zak Brown particularly vocal about the challenges it creates when trying to hire top talent. Critics also worry about potential coordination between commonly-owned teams that could provide unfair advantages.
Ben Sulayem indicated that shared ownership might be permissible under certain circumstances.
“As long as you are not trying to take it (the stake) because you don’t want others to take it, or also get voting power when it comes to the regulations, then maybe it’s OK,” he stated.
“But then I do believe that owning two is not the right way, this is my personal point of view, but we are looking into that because it’s a complicated area,” Ben Sulayem added.
Red Bull’s acquisition of the struggling Minardi team in late 2005 prevented that organization’s collapse, preserving jobs and maintaining the sport’s full roster of competitors. The secondary team has since served as a development program for Red Bull’s main operation, nurturing future champions including Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, along with numerous race winners.
Industry speculation has connected former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who was dismissed last July, to a 24% ownership stake in Alpine. This stake is currently held by investors led by Otro Capital, who are seeking buyers.
Flavio Briatore, who effectively runs Alpine, confirmed in March that Mercedes had also shown interest in acquiring the stake. Such a purchase would likely eliminate Horner’s involvement, given his contentious history with Mercedes team leader Toto Wolff.
Ben Sulayem expressed confidence that Horner would eventually return to Formula One in some capacity.
“Who can remove Christian Horner’s name from motorsport and Formula One?” he questioned. “You can’t. It was always successful. But success also has enemies, as we know.
“If you ask me, we miss him in this sport and I do. I keep in touch with him and he was good for the team, good for the sport.
“He wants to come back. I talk to him regularly and I feel he will be back. When he comes back, it’s like he went for a vacation … he’s been a character in the sport,” Ben Sulayem concluded.
