The relationship between Red Bull and AlphaTauri is under growing scrutiny, with F1 news outlets detailing their growing collaboration.
The McLaren CEO is a vocal critic of the relationship between Red Bull and AlphaTauri. In recent months, the deepening collaboration between these two outfits has been heavily discussed in F1 news outlets. As a result, scrutiny and debate on this issue is growing.
In the first rounds of 2023, AlphaTauri were largely disappointing. Points were largely unattainable for the Italian squad, with the AT04 largely uncompetitive. At roughly the halfway stage, Christian Horner’s team determined that significant changes were necessary.
A series of upgrades (starting in Singapore and ending in Abu Dhabi) pushed the team toward Red Bull’s concept. Performance on track quickly improved, with Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo fighting for points regularly to end the season.
However, this progress is drawing the attention of rivals. It is not unusual for teams in F1 to share parts and overlap in certain areas. Almost every customer team, for example, is reliant on a manufacturer for their engines.
Still, Zak Brown believes F1 needs to evaluate the rules concerning ownership of multiple teams:
“Most other major sports prohibit the ownership of two teams within the same league because of the obvious potential damage that it does to competition.
“It’s an unhealthy situation because it impacts decisions made both on and off the track.
“Whether it’s a case of having access to more data, sharing components/personnel, or even having influence over a strategic vote, it’s not in the spirit of the regulations.”
This will undoubtedly become an increasingly hot topic as 2024 begins. McLaren might be the most recent outfit to voice concerns, but they are unlikely to be the last.
Teams further down the order, such as Williams and Haas, could be impacted very directly by AlphaTauri’s ascent. In the lower midfield, where resources are scarce, Red Bull’s increased focus on the Faenza-based team could make the difference.
Of course, Christian Horner and Laurent Mekies’ personnel are operating within the regulations. Given the relationship between these teams, the FIA is especially careful to monitor their activities.
With that said, a new Concorde Agreement will be negotiated soon – and this will surely be at the top of the agenda.
