F1 fans back McLaren chief’s call for stricter sister‑team rules

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has renewed his criticism of the A‑team/B‑team model, arguing that sister‑team arrangements compromise sporting integrity. A recent RacingNews365 poll shows a clear majority of fans – 63% – favor stricter regulation of multi‑team ownership, with 39% outright rejecting the Red Bull‑style model.

Why it matters:

The health of the sport depends on each team competing on its own merit. Shared resources can blur the line between competition and collaboration, raising concerns over intellectual‑property leaks and staff poaching. If a parent organization can shuffle engineers and parts between its clubs, it gains a competitive edge that undermines the level playing field F1 promises to fans and sponsors.

The details:

• Poll result: 39.09% want a full ban on the Red Bull model; 36.26% say current rules are fine.
• Middle ground: 13.31% accept minority stakes but oppose a second team; 11.33% argue teams shouldn't be power‑unit customers.
• Overall sentiment: 63.73% of fans favour stricter regulation.

What's next:

The FIA is expected to review the A‑team issue in its upcoming technical and sporting regulations consultation, with input from teams and fan bodies. McLaren has pledged to lobby for a clear separation of ownership, while Red Bull and Mercedes warn that any changes must not penalise existing investments. If tighter limits are adopted, we could see a reshuffle of minority stakes and a more distinct grid of independent constructors, reshaping the competitive dynamics for the next several seasons.