McLaren Formula 1 Team Valued at £3.5 Billion After Ownership Shake-Up
The McLaren Formula 1 team has seen its value skyrocket to around £3.5 billion, marking a more than sixfold increase since 2020. The surge comes following a major restructuring of ownership.
US-based MSP Capital, which purchased a 33% stake in McLaren Racing for £185 million in 2020, has now been fully bought out by Mumtalakat (Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund) and CYVN Holdings from Abu Dhabi. At the time of MSP’s investment, McLaren Racing was valued at just £560 million.
Zak Brown Celebrates Major Milestone
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown hailed the deal as a turning point for the team:
“It wasn’t long ago our business was extremely challenged, but now we’re back competing at the front. This simplified ownership structure reflects our growth and stability in the cost-cap era.”
On-Track Success Driving Growth
McLaren’s resurgence has been evident on the track. Under team principal Andrea Stella, who took charge in late 2022, and Brown’s leadership, the team has returned to winning ways.
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McLaren clinched the Constructors’ Championship in 2024 — their first since 1998.
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In 2025, drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are dominating the standings, winning 12 of 15 races so far.
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The team has more than double the points of Ferrari in the constructors’ title race.
Beyond Formula 1, McLaren also competes in IndyCar and is preparing to enter the World Endurance Championship in 2027, though it exited Formula E after last season.
Liberty Media’s Impact on F1 Team Values
The dramatic rise in McLaren’s worth also mirrors the broader boom in Formula 1 team valuations since Liberty Media acquired the sport’s commercial rights in 2017.
A Stronger Future for McLaren
McLaren issued a statement confirming that the simplified ownership will provide a stronger financial base for future growth both on and off the track.
Meanwhile, McLaren Automotive — a separate entity from the racing team — was acquired by CYVN Holdings earlier this year, further deepening ties between the Abu Dhabi-based group and the McLaren brand.
Executive chairman Paul Walsh praised the outgoing investors for their role in stabilizing the business since 2020, while welcoming Mumtalakat and CYVN as long-term strategic partners.
“This new structure strengthens our ability to future-proof McLaren, unlock new opportunities, and continue our pursuit of being the most pioneering and exhilarating racing team in the world,” Walsh said.
