McLaren F1 Valued at Over £3 Billion in Landmark Stake Sale

Gulf investors gain full control of iconic racing team as investor appetite for F1 assets soars

A Billion-Pound Boost for British Motorsport

McLaren Racing, the celebrated British Formula One team, is set to be valued at over £3 billion following a strategic buyout by its majority shareholders. Bahraini sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat and Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings are acquiring the remaining 30% stake in the team, signalling full ownership and confidence in McLaren’s future performance both on and off the track.

What’s in the Deal?

• Buyers: Mumtalakat and CYVN Holdings
• Sellers: MSP Sports Capital, Ares Investment Management, UBS O’Connor, and other minority investors
• Valuation: Over £3 billion
• Current Stake: Mumtalakat and CYVN already own 70%; the deal gives them 100% control

This sale marks a significant leap from the £560 million valuation in 2020, when MSP Sports Capital first invested in McLaren Racing.

Why Now?

The new valuation reflects more than just investor enthusiasm. Under the leadership of CEO Zak Brown, McLaren Racing has enjoyed a competitive resurgence:

• Oscar Piastri recently clinched victory at the Dutch Grand Prix.
• Lando Norris, a British fan favourite, currently ranks second in the drivers’ championship.
• The team is positioned strongly in this year’s constructors’ championship.

Such strong performance is helping restore confidence in the McLaren brand, further driving its valuation upwards.

A Recovery Story

The McLaren Group, which also includes McLaren Automotive, was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Key actions taken to stabilise the business included:

• Selling and leasing back their Surrey headquarters
• Divesting the Applied Technologies division
• Attracting capital injections from Gulf investors

Now, the business appears leaner, more focused, and financially robust.

Investor Appetite for F1 Heats Up

This deal highlights growing global investor interest in Formula One assets. Recently:

• Aston Martin announced it would sell its F1 team stake at a £2.4bn valuation.
• Speculation swirls around the future of Red Bull’s F1 team and INEOS’s investment in Mercedes.

As the sport’s global appeal broadens, strategic investors are clearly seeing F1 as a premium long-term asset class.

Heritage and High Performance

Founded by Bruce McLaren in 1963, the team has an illustrious history:

• Over 200 Grand Prix wins
• Multiple Constructors’ Championships
• Iconic drivers such as Ayrton Senna, Lewis Hamilton, and Alain Prost

This legacy, combined with recent success, makes McLaren Racing an elite player in the world of motorsport and a high-value brand in the luxury automotive sector.

What’s Next?

While speculation continues about a future Initial Public Offering (IPO) for McLaren, insiders suggest it's still years away. The company is focused on continued performance improvement and strengthening its commercial footprint before entering public markets.

Conclusion

The £3 billion valuation cements McLaren Racing’s status as one of Formula One’s most valuable and admired teams. For investors, this represents both a remarkable return on capital and a vote of confidence in the sport’s future.

As Gulf investors take full control, McLaren enters a new era—one marked by stability, speed, and strategic vision. Whether on the track or in the boardroom, this British icon continues to race ahead.

Sources: (Skymoney.com)