Toto Wolff Explores Sale of Mercedes F1 Stake to CrowdStrike’s George Kurtz

Post by : Mara Rahim

Toto Wolff, who serves as team principal and co-owner of Mercedes in Formula One, is reportedly in advanced discussions to transfer a portion of his shareholding to George Kurtz, the head of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. According to a Financial Times report, this potential agreement could see the valuation of the Mercedes Formula One team soar to an unprecedented $6 billion, marking one of the highest worths for a Formula One team ever.

Transaction Insights

Currently, the Mercedes F1 organization is jointly owned by three major stakeholders—Toto Wolff, Mercedes-Benz, and Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe—each holding an equal 33% share. The contemplated deal would likely involve the sale of a minor fraction of Wolff's stake, estimated at about 5%, to Kurtz. Notably, Wolff would retain his responsibilities as team principal and lead executive for Mercedes motorsport activities. Sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations told the Financial Times that the arrangement is intended to introduce an external investor without disrupting team management.

While Mercedes has refrained from commenting directly on the ongoing talks, the team issued a brief statement asserting that governance would remain stable amid any potential share sale. “The governance of the team will remain unchanged, and all three partners are fully committed to ensuring the ongoing success of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One,” the statement read. Neither George Kurtz nor CrowdStrike responded to the reports immediately.

CrowdStrike’s Current Involvement with Mercedes

CrowdStrike, under Kurtz's leadership, is an established partner of the Mercedes Formula One team. The company’s branding is prominently displayed on the race cars, driver suits, and team gear. This partnership focuses primarily on safeguarding sensitive race-related data and digital operational frameworks. Additionally, Kurtz is not only a business leader but also a passionate motorsport fan, having participated in major racing events, including the renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.

If successfully finalized, this agreement could elevate the value of Mercedes Formula One to around $6 billion, eclipsing the record $5 billion valuation once held by McLaren Racing following its acquisition by Bahrain’s Mumtalakat and Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings in 2024. The increasing valuation trend is indicative of Formula One's expanding commercial clout as it attracts larger audiences, enhanced sponsorship deals, and greater media rights revenue.

Mercedes is recognized as one of the most triumphant teams in Formula One's recent history. From 2014 to 2021, the team clinched eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships, showcasing dominance during the hybrid period with renowned drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. In the ongoing 2025 season, Mercedes is currently placed second in the Constructors’ leaderboard after completing 21 out of 24 races, trailing behind McLaren, which has already secured its second consecutive title. Nevertheless, Mercedes continues to rank among the sport's most financially lucrative and stable teams, thereby enhancing the value of its shares.

Formula One’s Ascending Team Valuations

The swift rise in global interest surrounding Formula One has markedly boosted team evaluations. The popularity surge from Netflix’s Drive to Survive series and Apple's upcoming Formula One-centric motion picture has attracted numerous new fans to the sport. A decade ago, F1 teams frequently faced financial hardships; in 2009, Honda made headlines by selling its team to Ross Brawn for merely one pound. Under Brawn, that team went on to capture both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships later that year.

Modern F1 teams have also drawn interest from celebrity and institutional investors. For instance, Renault’s recently rebranded Alpine team sold a 24% stake in 2023 to an investor group for €200 million (around $215 million); notable investors included actor Ryan Reynolds and NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, valuing Alpine at close to $900 million. These high-profile investments have solidified Formula One’s reputation as a global entertainment and technological powerhouse.

Given George Kurtz's deep passion for motorsport, he could prove to be an excellent fit as an investor for the Mercedes team. Beyond leading CrowdStrike, he has an impressive track record as a racing driver, participating in the GT World Challenge and endurance events such as Le Mans. His involvement as a stakeholder in F1 would strengthen the connection between racing technology, innovation, and corporate strategy at Mercedes.

As Formula One gears up for a new era characterized by sustainable fuels and fresh engine regulations set to roll out in 2026, Mercedes aims to maintain its leadership both in performance and organizational strategy. An injection of capital and insights from a new investor like George Kurtz could bolster the team's long-term ambitions. Although negotiations concerning Wolff’s potential stake sale are ongoing, the situation underscores the transformation of Formula One from a niche motorsport to a significant business hub attracting many influential entrepreneurs.