McLaren maintains pressure regarding the 'A-B team' model.

      "It’s a captivating and fairly intricate subject."

      McLaren continues to challenge the fairness of the A-B team model within Formula 1, a structure most evident in Red Bull's ownership of both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. This issue has been a longstanding point of contention between McLaren CEO Zak Brown and former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Some in the paddock speculate that Brown's outspoken remarks following Horner's departure—stating that F1 was "better off" without him—were partially influenced by Horner's oversight of both teams.

      Even with the management change, Red Bull retains ownership of both teams, which are set to use Red Bull-Ford engines starting in 2026 and often transfer drivers between them. Recently, Laurent Mekies transitioned directly from Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing to succeed Horner, bypassing the typical gardening leave enforced by other teams.

      While Brown is the most vocal critic, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella also advocates for stricter autonomy regulations, albeit with more measured language. "It’s a captivating and fairly intricate subject," the Italian remarked. "We need to be cautious not to view it too simplistically. Clearly, McLaren has frequently raised concerns regarding team independence in the past."

      "This is a matter that should be examined in the context of creating a sport with a robust and equitable framework, ensuring that any team operating independently is safeguarded from the benefits that arise from being reliant on other teams," Stella added. He also pointed out how personnel frequently switch between the two Red Bull operations.

      "McLaren believes that the current regulations and their enforcement adequately address any potential risks associated with team affiliations, such as transferring from one team to another suddenly," said Stella. "We certainly feel this topic can lead to constructive conversations in the future, exploring whether there’s a way to tackle the issue of team independence in a more mature manner than what we are currently doing."

      The FIA has recognized that it is observing the situation, amidst speculation that shared ownership of multiple teams may eventually be prohibited under upcoming regulations.