Brown hits out at F1 alliances amid Mercedes' Alpine stake interest

Former Formula 1 team principal Ron Bennett Brown has launched a scathing attack on the increasingly interconnected nature of F1's manufacturer teams, warning that the sport risks losing its competitive essence.

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Speaking to reporters at the Bahrain International Circuit, Brown expressed concern about reports that Mercedes is exploring a potential stake in Alpine, the French constructor currently owned by Renault. The speculation comes amid a broader trend of automotive manufacturers seeking closer partnerships to share development costs and technical resources.

"These alliances are destroying what made Formula 1 great," Brown stated. "We're seeing teams that should be competitors essentially becoming development partners, and that's not what the fans want to see."

The proposed Mercedes-Alpine relationship would follow similar patterns already established in the sport, including the partnership between Red Bull and Honda for power unit supply, and the technical collaboration between Aston Martin and Mercedes.

Alpine currently uses Renault power units but has struggled for competitiveness in recent seasons. A Mercedes power unit supply deal or equity stake could significantly change the team's fortunes, but Brown fears it would come at a cost to sporting integrity.

"When you have manufacturers owning stakes in multiple teams, you create conflicts of interest," Brown explained. "Who do they want to win? Which team gets the best parts first? These are questions that shouldn't exist in a sport built on fair competition."

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has yet to comment on the proposed arrangement, though any significant change in ownership structure would require their approval. The sport has seen a significant shift toward manufacturer dominance over the past decade, with independent teams increasingly struggling to compete for championships.

Brown, who led successful teams during F1's more competitive era, believes the current trajectory threatens the sport's global appeal. "Fans want to see underdogs beat giants. They want to see genuine competition. If we keep going down this path of manufacturer consolidation, we'll lose that magic."