Toto Wolff, Mercedes F1 team principal, has agreed to sell a minority stake to George Kurtz, cofounder of CrowdStrike. The deal values the Silver Arrows at roughly $6 bn, a 58% rise from Forbes’ valuation two years ago, placing Mercedes among the most valuable sports teams globally. Only Ferrari, valued at $6.5 bn, surpasses it in Formula 1.
Team Valuations Soar Across the Grid
All ten F1 teams are now worth at least $1.5 bn, with the average valuation rising 89% since 2023 to $3.6 bn, Forbes reports. The surge reflects the sport’s rapid growth, with average team revenue hitting an estimated $430 mln last year and Mercedes leading the way with $799 mln, ranking tenth among global sports teams.
Profitability Boosted by Cost Cap
The introduction of the cost cap in 2021, limiting team spending on car development to around $170 mln, has improved profitability. Six teams turned a profit in 2024, including Mercedes at $202 mln and McLaren at $61 mln. Investors are increasingly drawn to F1 as teams demonstrate financial stability previously unseen.
Recent Transactions Reflect Strong Market
The Mercedes stake sale is priced at 7.1 times last year’s revenue, while other recent deals show similar multiples. McLaren’s buyout valued the team at $4.5 bn, Aston Martin minority stakes ranged from $2.3 bn to $3.2 bn. Average valuations for F1 teams now stand at roughly 8 times trailing-year revenue, up from 2.3x in 2019.
F1 Remains Scarce and Valuable
Despite growth, F1 teams face limits on commercial opportunities compared with leagues like the NFL and NBA. There are only 24 races per season and restricted space for sponsor logos on cars, yet scarcity increases the value of top teams. Cadillac’s entry next season as the 11th team could boost American interest further.
F1 Teams by Valuation in 2025
| Rank | Team | Valuation (2025) | Revenue | Operating Profit/Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferrari | $6.5 bn | $670 mln | $80 mln |
| 2 | Mercedes | $6 bn | $799 mln | $202 mln |
| 3 | McLaren | $4.4 bn | $614 mln | $61 mln |
| 4 | Red Bull Racing | $4.35 bn | $618 mln | $26 mln |
| 5 | Aston Martin | $3.2 bn | $353 mln | -$18 mln |
| 6 | Williams | $2.5 bn | $245 mln | -$36 mln |
| 7 | Alpine | $2.45 bn | $300 mln | -$13 mln |
| 8 | Sauber | $2.4 bn | $240 mln | -$25 mln |
| 9 | Racing Bulls | $2.3 bn | $318 mln | $5 mln |
| 10 | Haas | $1.5 bn | $150 mln | $9 mln |
Formula 1’s popularity has surged worldwide, aided by Netflix’s Drive to Survive and the blockbuster F1 movie starring Brad Pitt. The combination of media exposure, profitable teams and new investors has created a market where F1 team valuations are reaching unprecedented levels.
