Wolff May Sell Mercedes Stake To CrowdStrike CEO Kurtz

Toto Wolff, the team principal and part-owner of Mercedes Formula One, is in advanced discussions to sell a portion of his ownership stake to George Kurtz, the CEO of cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. According to a report by the Financial Times, the potential deal could value the Mercedes Formula One team at a record-breaking $6 billion. The sale would represent one of the largest valuations ever recorded for a Formula One team, highlighting the sport’s booming commercial value.

Details Of The Possible Transaction

At present, the Mercedes Formula One team is jointly owned by three main shareholders—Toto Wolff, Mercedes-Benz, and Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe—each holding a 33% share. The proposed transaction would involve selling a small portion of Wolff’s stake, reportedly around 5%, to Kurtz. Despite this partial sale, Wolff would continue in his dual role as team principal and head of Mercedes motorsport operations. Sources close to the talks told the Financial Times that the deal is structured to introduce an outside investor while ensuring continuity in team management.

While Mercedes declined to comment directly on the reported negotiations, the team released a short statement confirming that its governance would not be affected by any stake sale. “The governance of the team will remain unchanged, and all three partners are fully committed to the ongoing success of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One,” the team said. Neither George Kurtz nor CrowdStrike issued an immediate response to the reports.

CrowdStrike’s Existing Partnership With Mercedes

CrowdStrike, the global cybersecurity company led by Kurtz, is already a key partner of the Mercedes Formula One team. The firm’s logo is prominently featured on Mercedes cars, driver suits, and team apparel. The partnership focuses on cybersecurity support for team operations, protecting sensitive race data and digital infrastructure. George Kurtz, apart from his corporate background, is also a passionate motorsport enthusiast and has competed in major racing events, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.

If completed, this deal would value Mercedes Formula One at approximately $6 billion—surpassing the record $5 billion valuation set by McLaren Racing after its takeover by Bahrain’s Mumtalakat and Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings in 2024. This rising valuation trend reflects the increasing commercial strength of Formula One teams as global audiences grow, sponsorship deals expand, and media rights become more lucrative.

Mercedes has been one of the most successful Formula One teams in recent history. Between 2014 and 2021, the team won eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships, dominating the hybrid era with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. In the 2025 season, Mercedes currently sits second in the Constructors’ standings after 21 of 24 rounds, behind McLaren, who have already clinched their second consecutive title. Despite this, Mercedes remains one of the sport’s most profitable and stable teams, making its shares highly valuable.

Formula One’s Soaring Team Valuations

Formula One’s rapid growth in global popularity has dramatically increased team values. The success of Netflix’s Drive to Survive documentary series and Apple’s upcoming Formula One-themed movie have brought new fans to the sport. A decade ago, F1 teams often struggled financially. In 2009, Honda famously sold its team to Ross Brawn for just one pound. Under Brawn’s leadership, that same team won both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships with Jenson Button later that year.

Modern Formula One teams have also attracted celebrity and institutional investors. Renault’s rebranded Alpine team, for example, sold a 24% stake in 2023 to an investor group for €200 million (approximately $215 million). The group included Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and American football stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, valuing Alpine at around $900 million. Such high-profile investments have reinforced Formula One’s status as a global entertainment and technology powerhouse.

George Kurtz’s personal interest in motorsport makes him an ideal investor for the Mercedes team. Apart from his role as CrowdStrike’s CEO, he is an accomplished racing driver, competing in the GT World Challenge and endurance events like Le Mans. His involvement in Formula One as a stakeholder would deepen the connection between technology, racing innovation, and business strategy within the Mercedes organization.

As Formula One prepares for its next era, marked by sustainable fuels and new engine regulations from 2026, Mercedes continues to position itself as a leader on and off the track. A new investor like George Kurtz could bring additional financial strength and strategic insight to the team’s long-term plans. While Wolff’s potential sale remains under negotiation, it reflects Formula One’s transformation from a niche motorsport to a global business platform attracting some of the world’s most powerful entrepreneurs.