The news had been circulating in Formula 1 for weeks, and it is now official: McLaren Racing has undergone a complete transformation. According to Motorsport.com, Zak Brown confirmed that the sale of shares has been finalized, with the Woking-based team reaching an overall valuation of $4.1 billion, as reported by Bloomberg.
In early September 2025, discussions surfaced about a potential increase in stakes from the Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat and the investment group CYVN Holdings, already shareholders in the McLaren Group. The deal has now brought both entities to hold 100% control of the sporting division, closing a journey that began years ago.
Brown did not hide his satisfaction: he believes the timing is perfect, as Formula 1 is experiencing exponential growth on all fronts. The American executive highlighted that the introduction of the budget cap by Liberty Media has revolutionized the financial balance of the championship, providing economic stability and greater competitiveness among the teams.
Formula 1 in full boom: an industry in constant expansion
The McLaren CEO described the current landscape with enthusiasm: the grandstands are consistently full, fan interest is growing at an impressive pace, and world-class partners are approaching the sport with excitement. According to Brown, Formula 1 is undergoing an unprecedented period in terms of intensity and commercial appeal.
Some have raised doubts, arguing that team valuations may have peaked, but Brown strongly disagrees. Looking at sports in general, he noted that franchise values continue to grow steadily. Every record, no matter how extraordinary it may seem, is regularly surpassed within a few years. He believes the same trajectory will apply to Formula 1.
The potential is undeniable: the calendar currently counts 24 events, but promoter demand could support up to 30 Grands Prix—a solution that is currently under consideration. This underscores the extraordinary commercial strength of the category, capable of attracting sponsors such as Mastercard and Google directly onto the cars.
Sporting competitiveness at its peak
On the sporting side, competitiveness is at an all-time high. Last season, four different teams claimed victories, while seven drivers secured at least two wins each. For Brown, these numbers represent a remarkable rarity in over thirty years of motorsport experience.
Competition, spectacle, and future: Zak Brown’s vision
But it is not just the track that makes Formula 1 so appealing. The media landscape also contributes to its global allure. Productions like Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” have turned the championship’s stars into widely recognized personalities, well beyond traditional fans. The blending of sport and entertainment has created a new audience, further driving demand for tickets and events.
According to Brown, we are still at the beginning. Growth has yet to reach its full potential, and expansion into new markets could be the next frontier. Economic dynamics, the level of competition, and media interest suggest a scenario in which Formula 1 will continue to increase its value, establishing itself as one of the most lucrative sports industries in the world.
For McLaren, the full entry of Mumtalakat and CYVN Holdings represents a guarantee for the future. The team can now rely on solid financial foundations and ownership ready to support both sporting and commercial ambitions. This historic move not only reshapes the Woking team’s ownership structure but also demonstrates the remarkable attraction of a championship that, according to its CEO, is only just beginning its journey toward new heights.
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