McLaren boss explains ‘big concern’ over Red Bull changes and makes FIA request

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has stated his ‘big concerns’ over the new technical partnership between Red Bull and AlphaTauri ahead of the 2024 season. The Woking-based outfit are hoping to make even more gains on Christian Horner’s organisation next year, but are fearful that they could benefit from increased cooperation with their sister team.

McLaren were Red Bull’s most consistent challengers during the second half of the 2023 season, but Zak Brown has some issues to raise.

McLaren became Red Bull’s strongest competitor towards the end of the season as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were frequently at the top of the grid alongside Max Verstappen. But Brown has raised fears of AlphaTauri bridging the gap between themselves and the top sides.

Horner has insisted that no rules are being broken and the FIA completed compliance checks, but Brown is still worried over the bonds being formed between Red Bull and AlphaTauri.

Speaking to Motorsport.com about Red Bull’s 2024 campaign, Brown explained: “The million-dollar question that none of us know is how early did they turn off this year’s car? We know we’ve outperformed the others in the development race, and we know we’ve closed the gap to Red Bull but what none of us know is: did Red Bull stop, and we just caught up, or were they still developing?

“Also, we have a few major worries over the collusion among AlphaTauri and Red Bull. I feel that is something that should be tended to from here on out. In this way, I actually think the game has a best approach to ensure that everybody is really free.”

Brown fostered his interests in regards to the association, adding: “It is two groups with normal proprietorship, which you wouldn’t have in different games. [They could benefit] a variety of ways. There is a motivation behind why they are moving a ton of their kin from Italy. As Helmut [Marko] has said, they will do without question, all that they can to profit from having two groups. I get that since that is what the guidelines say. Be that as it may, I think we really want to check out at the administration of the game around specialized coalitions.”

Mercedes had a similar controversy in 2020 when Racing Point was using the Silver Arrows’ wind tunnel and produced a similar car to Mercedes’ 2019 vehicle before they were found guilty of breaching IP rules.

Horner has believe that no such principles are being broken by Red Bull and AlphaTauri. “We’re an outrageously lengthy way from a ‘Pink Mercedes’,” he said. “There are a few adaptable parts that are obviously recorded inside the guidelines that you’re permitted to supply and that is the thing they get.

“At the point when you take a gander at the vehicle, there are very key contrasts between that vehicle and a Red Bull Hustling vehicle. Furthermore, seemingly, there are different vehicles on the matrix which are far nearer in idea than an AlphaTauri is. You’ve just got to check out at an Aston Martin or even a McLaren. In the event that you check out the back suspension of a McLaren, it’s extremely close in idea to that of our own.”