(Reuters) – Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner has responded to McLaren’s Zak Brown’s criticisms of the energy drink company’s ownership of two Formula One teams and their close relationship. Brown has been calling on the FIA to reconsider the regulations that have enabled what he describes as an A and B team collaboration.
As defending champions, Red Bull won 21 out of 22 races in the previous season. By having closer cooperation with Visa Cash App RB, which finished eighth in 2023 under the name AlphaTauri, the sister team could become significantly more competitive.
Brown, speaking at an FIA press conference during pre-season testing, expressed his disbelief that any other sport would allow co-ownership of two competing teams. In response, Horner took the opportunity to remind reporters that Red Bull also owns two soccer clubs in the Champions League.
RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig, both based in Austria and Germany respectively, reached the group stages of this year’s elite European club competition.
Horner also highlighted how Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz saved Minardi from collapse in 2005, subsequently renaming it Toro Rosso. He also pointed out how Red Bull remained in the sport and supported it during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that Red Bull should be commended instead of criticized for their efforts.
He clarified that the two teams are completely independent, with one based in Italy and the other in the UK. Horner also stated that the relationship between the Red Bull teams is “far less tight” than some others with their engine manufacturers, and that there are no pre-set rules or agreements between the teams.
Horner dismissed the uproar as a non-issue and stated that they expect the sister team to be a competitor not just against the other teams, but also against Red Bull Racing. Meanwhile, Brown stated that although Red Bull is complying with the rules, the sport should aim for 10 independent teams given the budget cap in place. He emphasized the need to address and revise the rules to ensure an equal playing field for everyone.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken Ferris)
