The FIA has opened a formal review of multi-team ownership in Formula 1 and put Mercedes’ reported bid for a 24% stake in Renault-backed Alpine under regulatory scrutiny. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said he was “looking into” whether owning two teams should be allowed, adding that “owning two [teams] is not the right way” and warning such arrangements could damage the sport’s “sporting spirit.” He said the FIA will use its authority to protect competitive integrity while it assesses whether the practice is permitted and appropriate.

Mercedes emerged as the frontrunner after submitting a bid reportedly led by CEO Toto Wolff for Otro Capital’s 24% stake, which reports say carries control over driver and team-principal appointments. The stake has also attracted a bid led by Christian Horner and interest from other parties. Renault owns the remaining 76% of Alpine and retains the right to approve any sale until September, but Alpine’s corporate disclosures say Otro Capital is barred from selling its shares until at least November, complicating any immediate transaction. Some reports say Renault may prefer a sale to Mercedes for manufacturer synergies, and other figures, including McLaren CEO Zak Brown, have criticized the potential deal.

Ben Sulayem said the review has broader implications for existing dual-ownership structures, most notably Red Bull’s long-standing ownership of Racing Bulls, formerly Minardi. Red Bull bought Minardi in late 2005 for roughly £20 million and has used the team to develop academy drivers such as Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen. Reports said Racing Bulls was the subject of months of rumors and that Red Bull rejected a reported £1.1 billion bid in 2025. Any change to FIA policy could force sales, affect other paddock transactions, and sharpen governance and competitive-integrity questions as teams, owners, and the regulator weigh commercial deals against the sport’s regulatory framework.