What happened: The debate over common ownership in Formula 1 has reignited around the two Red Bull-affiliated teams, with Red Bull denying that Racing Bulls assists it on-track. The issue gained fresh momentum after Mercedes and Toto Wolff explored acquiring a stake in Alpine, a move that never became a deal. That interest prompted McLaren CEO Zak Brown to write to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem outlining his concerns.

Why it matters: Common ownership strikes at the heart of F1's competitive integrity, raising questions about whether sister teams can share data, parts, or strategy in ways that distort the championship. With McLaren formally escalating to the FIA, the sport faces pressure to clarify the rules governing related teams. How the FIA responds could reshape how ownership stakes and technical partnerships are policed.

What to watch: Watch for the FIA's response to Brown's letter and any clarification of regulations on related-team cooperation ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.