Wolff sells part of Mercedes stake but remains CEO and team principal
Toto Wolff, Mercedes F1 team principal and CEO, is in advanced talks to sell a portion of his stake to George Kurtz, co-founder and CEO of cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. The deal, reportedly involving around 5% of the shares, would value the team at an estimated $6 billion, a staggering figure for a Formula 1 outfit.
Wolff appears to sell part of his stake
According to the Financial Times, the agreement would allow George Kurtz to enter Wolff’s personal holding company, with the Austrian manager retaining one-third ownership of the team. Wolff would continue in his roles as CEO and team principal, ensuring continuity in Brackley’s management structure.
Mercedes confirmed that “team governance will remain unchanged and all three partners – Mercedes-Benz, Toto, and Ineos – remain fully committed to the team’s success in Formula 1.” This means no operational changes, maintaining the same leadership structure that has defined Wolff’s tenure at the Brackley-based team.
CrowdStrike and Mercedes have long collaborated as commercial partners, with the American company’s branding visible on both cars and driver overalls. Kurtz would represent an investor aligned with Wolff’s long-term vision. Neither Mercedes nor Toto Wolff commented to the Financial Times on the negotiations, while CrowdStrike neither confirmed nor denied the talks.
This is a classic situation where staying silent is preferred to avoid media interference until the deal is finalized. For now, all eyes are on an official statement from the parties involved regarding this significant operation, which will be released in due course.
Mercedes team growth is remarkable
The potential sale comes amid strong financial growth for the German team. Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, the company managing the F1 operation, closed 2024 with revenue of £636 million, up from £546 million the previous year. Pre-tax profits reached around £163 million, an increase of £48 million – impressive figures by any standard.
Additionally, a final dividend of £125 million was recently approved. The deal would represent a significant financial boost for Wolff, compared with 2022 when Ineos acquired its 33% stake for about £208 million. Monetizing part of his holding could substantially enhance Wolff’s personal earnings.
With a valuation of around $6 billion, the Anglo-German team would set a new economic benchmark for Formula 1 teams. For context, McLaren was recently valued at over £3 billion after coming fully under Bahrain and Abu Dhabi fund control. Mercedes now has financial stability and a secure future heading into the 2026 season.
This is especially positive given the new regulations coming into effect next year, set to transform Formula 1 as we know it. Entering the 2026 season in this strong position provides the perfect foundation for Mercedes to pursue a return to victory, aiming to replicate the glory of its recent dominant past.
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