🔗 Share this article

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is engaged in final negotiations to offload part of his shareholding in the Mercedes F1 outfit.

This transaction values the Mercedes team at £4.6 billion – an unprecedented figure for a Formula 1 squad – following the McLaren team was appraised at £3.5 billion in an adjustment to ownership structure in September.

Wolff, who holds one-third of the Mercedes F1 operation, plans to divest a shareholding approximately five percent.

The 53-year-old would stay on as team principal and CEO if the sale goes through.

Ownership Structure

Remaining partners in the team are Mercedes and chemicals giant Ineos Group, who each also own a third of the enterprise.

A Mercedes spokesperson stated: "We will be making no comment on the matter. The management structure of Mercedes F1 will remain unaltered, and all three partners are fully committed to the ongoing success of the brand in Formula One."

Valuation Increase

The deal signifies a significant increase in worth of Mercedes F1 since Ineos bought its stake for £208m in 2022.

This surge demonstrates the growth in market values of F1 teams recently as a consequence of the growing popularity of Formula 1 around the world.

This was also seen in the success of the Formula 1 film featuring Brad Pitt, which debuted last summer and has grossed more than $630m (£458m) at cinemas worldwide.

It is the actor's top-grossing film and the highest-earning sports movie ever released.

Current Standings

The Mercedes team are second in the constructors' championship, behind McLaren Racing, with three races remaining in the current championship.

Their lead driver George Russell has won two of the 21 grands prix so far and is in fourth place in the individual standings behind McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen.

Mercedes won a unprecedented eight consecutive constructors' championships and seven drivers' titles, six for Lewis Hamilton and one for Nico Rosberg, between 2014 and 2021.