Non 'B' teams like Racing Point and McLaren are having to consider how to respond to the alliances being forged between the sport's biggest players and smaller outfits. Renault has already hit out at the kind of 'B team' alliances seen between Ferrari and customer teams Alfa Romeo and Haas.
Andy Green, the technical boss at Mercedes-powered Racing Point, thinks it is one reason why rivals like Alfa Romeo, Haas and Toro Rosso are increasingly competitive.
"Sauber and Haas benefit from Ferrari. Same as Toro Rosso and Red Bull," he told Auto Motor und Sport.