The rivalry in Formula 1 has flared up again. McLaren team boss Zak Brown unexpectedly filed a complaint with the FIA about the RB22 engine. Laurent Mekies reacted strongly to this.
In the run-up to the Australian Grand Prix, Zak Brown, the team boss and CEO of McLaren Racing, has heated things up in the paddock. The American filed a formal complaint with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) regarding the engine of the RB22, the car of Racing Bulls – the sister team of Red Bull Racing. According to sources within the sport, Brown would have serious doubts about the conformity of the power unit that Red Bull Powertrains (in collaboration with Ford) supplies to both teams.
The complaint came as a bolt from the blue, especially because the new regulations for 2026 are already causing enough tension in the premier class of motorsport.
Brown, who has not been averse to strong statements against competitors in recent years, is said to have pointed out possible irregularities in the engine design or its application. Details about the exact contents of the complaint have not been made public – the FIA usually keeps such investigations confidential until there is an official ruling – but insiders suggest it concerns suspicions of a gray area in the technical regulations. This could be related to energy management, fuel efficiency or even the integration of components that fall under the new 2026 sustainability rules.
McLaren, which itself will use Mercedes engines until at least 2030, appears to be concerned that Red Bull is building up a lead that does not fully comply with the spirit of the rules.
The timing is striking. The Australian Grand Prix often marks the start of the European season and is a time when teams lay their cards on the table. McLaren is performing strongly this season with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, but Red Bull and Racing Bulls remain a dominant factor. Max Verstappen has already achieved several pole positions and victories with the RB22, and the sister team led by Laurent Mekies is showing a surprising amount of progress. The fact that Brown is striking now raises questions about strategy: does McLaren want to increase the pressure on the competition, or is there really something wrong with the engine?
Laurent Mekies, the Frenchman who was promoted to a leading role within the Red Bull family after his time at Racing Bulls, reacted furiously to the allegations. In a sharp statement he said that the complaint is unfounded and opportunistic. “This is another attempt to distract from our performance on the track,” said Mekies. He emphasized that all power units from Red Bull Powertrains have been extensively tested and approved by the FIA. “We operate completely within the regulations, and they know that at McLaren too. These types of complaints smell of frustration because we are back at the front.”
Mekies went further to suggest that Brown has shown a pattern of public attacks on Red Bull. In recent years, the two gentlemen have clashed repeatedly, especially over the close relationship between Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. Brown previously expressed concerns about possible information exchange between the two teams, something the FIA wants to regulate more strictly in 2026 with new rules around ‘A and B teams’. Mekies called Brown’s action “a sad distraction tactic” and called for a focus on race instead of political games.
The FIA has now confirmed that the complaint is being processed. A technical research team will scrutinize the RB22 engine, including dyno test data, specifications and possible discrepancies with homologation. Depending on the findings, this could lead to sanctions, adjustments or even disqualifications – although the latter scenario seems unlikely in the absence of hard evidence. The governing body emphasizes that it takes all complaints seriously to ensure the integrity of the sport.
Within the paddock, disbelief and irritation predominate. Several team bosses call the complaint “typical Brown”, referring to previous incidents such as the discussions about the ride-height device in 2024 or the accusations about tire cooling. Others see it as legitimate vigilance: in a sport where tenths of a second make the difference, a small advantage in the engine can be crucial, especially with major rule changes looming.
This is a risky move for McLaren. If the complaint proves unfounded, it could damage the team’s reputation and strain its relationship with the FIA. Brown himself keeps quiet and refers to “the need for transparency and equal opportunities”. He reiterated that McLaren always fights for a fair playing field, something he already did during Red Bull’s dominant period in previous seasons.
Meanwhile, the battle on the track continues. The Australian Grand Prix promises fireworks, not only between the drivers but also in the pit wall. With Verstappen and Norris as title contenders, and teams like Ferrari and Mercedes lurking, the tension remains high. The complaint about the RB22 engine adds an extra layer to a season already full of rivalry.
Whether this incident will lead to concrete consequences will become clear in the coming weeks. For the time being, it has made one thing clear: in Formula 1, the battle is never just on the asphalt. Zak Brown and Laurent Mekies have added a new chapter to a saga that is far from over.
