McLaren 'frown upon' co-ownership in F1 amid rampant Mercedes-Alpine speculation

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown does not believe co-ownership in F1 is "healthy" for the championship, a stance that encompasses Mercedes' current links to a minority stake in Alpine.

The Toto Wolff-led team supplies McLaren — and Alpine — with power units, but that close relationship does not colour or prejudice Brown's opinion on the matter, which is most clearly seen in F1 through Red Bull's ownership of Racing Bulls.

The American believes engine providers are as far as the situation should go, which is potentially awkward given Mercedes is one of the "three or four" parties, according to Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore, in the running to purchase 24 per cent of the Renault-owned team.

Currently, that share is held by three groups: Otro Capital, which has backing from Golf's Rory McIlroy; Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney; and RedBird Capital, which owns Italian club AC Milan.

Brown explained why he feels it "runs a real high risk of compromising the integrity of sporting fairness" when speaking to media, including RacingNews365, and later expanded on matter, underlining a non-biased stance.

"It applies to anybody and everybody," the 54-year-old stated. "A/B teams, co-ownership. So, regardless of who it is, I frown upon it.

"I don't think it's healthy for the sport. So it's not personal or towards any one team or individual."

Brown 'not picking on' Laurent Mekies

According to Brown, the subject of co-ownership was well-covered in the latest Concord Agreement negotiations between the FIA, F1 and its teams.

"It was a big discussion in the last Concord," he shared. "I wrote to the FIA and Formula 1 last year on the topic, because we see things happen all the time, and we flag them. I think there's a higher level of awareness and watching by the FIA.

He was also keen to stress that whilst Red Bull is the most prominent example, he is "not picking on" the Milton Keynes-based squad's team principal Laurent Mekies, revealing a productive and open dialogue with the Frenchman.

"I'm glad to see, quite frankly, that the Racing Bulls and the Red Bull don't look like the same race car," Brown added.

"I've had these conversations with Laurent [Mekies]. I'm not picking on him in particular, but he's the only one who's got two teams, and he's been very open and transparent of, 'Hey, if you see something that you don't like, let's just chat about it.'

"So I think they recognise it and don't want to push the envelope. There were discussions in the Concord Agreement about should, over time, one of the teams be divested, but I also have a huge appreciation for what they've done for the sport and how that was done a long time ago.

"So I think as long as it's managed and watched, but certainly adding to it, I think, would be a mistake for the sport."

The first part of this story is available [HERE].