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Ex-Red Bull Driver Fires Back at Zak Brown’s F1 Team Independence Claim
Highlights
- Zak Brown urges FIA to ban multi-team ownership in F1.
- David Coulthard defends Red Bull’s two-team structure and impact.
- Red Bull transformed Racing Bulls from backmarker to midfield contender.
- No new FIA rules yet on team independence and ownership.
- Multi-team model aids driver development and enhances team performance.
- FIA is reviewing regulations amid ongoing multi-team ownership debate.
David Coulthard backs Red Bull’s two-team model, countering Zak Brown’s independence push. On the Up to Speed podcast, he says the structure aids performance as the FIA reviews ownership rules.
Brown earlier wrote to the FIA seeking stricter limits on multi-team operations. He argued shared interests threaten integrity, focusing on collaboration between Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
He notes Red Bull has long owned two teams and a circuit. That continuity, he says, turned Racing Bulls from backmarker to regular points finisher and frequent Q3 participant.
Coulthard: Red Bull’s structure lifted Racing Bulls from backmarker to consistent points scorer.
He stresses the investment underpinning that model and notes compliance with current rules. Despite public pressure, no changes exist yet, while talks between Red Bull and the FIA assess independence.
Red Bull’s junior system remains central. Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz entered F1 through that pathway, with the sister team providing seats and technical support to accelerate development.
Red Bull’s junior pathway has launched careers for Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.
Coulthard also cites soaring valuations. Team worth has climbed from sub-$200m two decades ago to around $3bn today, meaning any forced sale would likely deliver profit rather than harm.
Brown and Toto Wolff raise fairness concerns, warning of information flow across entities. Current regulations permit listed-parts restrictions and certain technical partnerships, but grey areas persist around operational collaboration.
On track, Red Bull prepares upgrades to defend its edge, including the latest RB22 package. That push follows recent setbacks that tightened the competitive picture.
FIA has yet to introduce new rules on independence despite mounting pressure from rivals.
The FIA’s evaluation continues as stakeholder positions harden. For now, multi-team ownership remains legal and influential, leaving the balance between integrity and development as the debate’s central question.
Visual Summary
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Zak Brown
Independence
Zak Brown
Independence
?
Red Bull
Multi-team Power
Red Bull
Multi-team Power
Who should shape F1’s future?
(Team independence vs. multi-team growth)
(Team independence vs. multi-team growth)
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Pre-Red Bull
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Racing Bulls
Climbing the grid
Climbing the grid
Team Value Then
$200M
(2000’s)
Team Value Now
$3B+
(2020s)
??
Started Here:
Max Verstappen
???
Launched by Red Bull:
Carlos Sainz
“
Coulthard: “Red Bull’s investment transformed a backmarker into a points-scoring team—and launched the stars of tomorrow. The debate over independence isn’t black and white.”
F1 Awaits FIA’s Decision
Will FIA shift the rules, or let Red Bull’s dual-team legacy continue?
James William covers the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, from the Rolex 24 at Daytona to sprint-race formats. His reports include prototype performance reviews, GT class battles, and pit-stop strategy insights for endurance-racing fans.
