Second Team

A Second Team in motorsport is a racing team that has a close relationship with a primary manufacturer or factory team, receiving equipment, technical support, or sharing ownership while maintaining some degree of independence in competition.

Think of a Second Team like a franchise restaurant compared to the company headquarters. The franchise uses the same recipes and gets support from the main company, but it's still run as its own location. In racing, these arrangements help both the smaller team and the larger manufacturer achieve their goals.

There are two main types of Second Teams. Satellite teams are independent organizations that buy or lease their racing equipment from major manufacturers like Ferrari, Honda, or Ducati. They get proven technology and technical assistance, which would be too expensive to develop on their own. Sister teams are multiple racing squads owned by the same company that compete separately in the same championship. For example, Red Bull owns both Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB in Formula 1, but they operate as distinct teams with different drivers and crew.

Second Teams serve several important purposes in motorsport. One major benefit is driver development—young racers can gain valuable experience at a second team before potentially moving up to the main factory squad. This creates a pathway for talented drivers to prove themselves without the pressure of joining a top team immediately.

These teams also help manufacturers collect data and test new parts. Having more cars on the track means more information about how equipment performs under real racing conditions. This benefits the manufacturer without the full cost of running additional factory operations.

The relationship between a second team and its parent organization varies widely. Some satellite teams operate almost independently, making their own strategic calls and developing their own car setups. Others work closely with their parent team, sharing information and resources within the rules allowed by their racing series.

Racing regulations typically limit how much affiliated teams can collaborate to keep competition fair. These rules might restrict sharing certain technical data or coordinating race strategies between teams. The exact limitations depend on the specific motorsport series.

While some people use the term "B-team" to describe these organizations, many in the sport consider this label disrespectful. It suggests the team lacks independence or ambition, when in reality most second teams are competitive operations with their own goals. They may support a larger manufacturer, but they're still racing to win and achieve their own success.

Understanding second teams helps explain why you might see multiple cars with similar designs or why certain teams seem to have connections with bigger names in the sport. These relationships are a fundamental part of how modern motorsport operates across many different racing series worldwide.