McLaren Racing valued at $4 billion as Gulf shareholders take full control

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McLaren Racing is set to come under full ownership of its Gulf backers after Mumtalakat, the Bahraini sovereign wealth fund, and Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings agreed to buy out the 30% stake in the Formula 1 outfit that they do not already own.

The deal, which values McLaren Racing at more than £3 billion ($4 billion), represents a stunning turnaround for a team that was forced into emergency fundraising just four years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a report from Sky News, the minority stakes being acquired are currently held by a consortium including US-based MSP Sports Capital, Ares Investment Management, UBS O’Connor, and several smaller investors.

MSP first invested in 2020, taking a 15% stake in McLaren Racing at a valuation of around £560 million, a lifeline as the McLaren Group scrambled to stabilize its finances through asset sales and restructuring.

Those investors now stand to make a handsome profit, with the value of McLaren Racing surging more than fivefold in just four years. Sources suggest the deal could be announced as soon as this week, cementing Mumtalakat’s position as the controlling shareholder.

Racing Success Driving Value

The deal comes at a time when McLaren is enjoying a renaissance on track under the management of CEO Zak Brown. After winning last year’s Constructors’ Championship, the team has so far dominated the 2025 season, with Oscar Piastri leading the Drivers’ standings with a 34-point advantage over teammate Lando Norris.

©McLaren

Such sporting success has gone hand-in-hand with a vastly stronger financial position for the wider McLaren Group, which also oversees McLaren Automotive. The simplified ownership structure is expected to further streamline operations and strengthen its long-term strategy.

F1 Teams as Billion-Dollar Assets

McLaren’s £3 billion-plus valuation reflects not only its competitive resurgence but also the soaring value of Formula 1 franchises in the modern era.

The sport’s global popularity has surged under Liberty Media’s ownership, boosted by record TV audiences, sell-out race weekends, and the commercial boom sparked by Netflix’s Drive to Survive.

©McLaren

Comparable deals show the trend across the grid, with Aston Martin recently confirming plans to sell a stake valuing its team at £2.4 billion ($3.2 billion).

For Mumtalakat and CYVN, full ownership of McLaren Racing strengthens their grip on a prestigious motorsport and automotive brand and on the team founded by Bruce McLaren in 1963.

With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri driving McLaren’s competitive charge, the team is well-positioned to capitalize on its on-track dominance and growing commercial appeal, cementing its place as a cornerstone of Formula 1’s elite.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.