Crowdstrike CEO Kurtz revealed as buyer of Mercedes stake

©Mercedes

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The mystery behind Toto Wolff’s latest share sale is no mystery anymore — and the answer was hiding in plain sight. Mercedes’ long-time cybersecurity partner CrowdStrike has stepped directly into team ownership, with founder and CEO George Kurtz snapping up a slice of Wolff’s stake in the Brackley squad.

It’s a move that deepens a relationship dating back to 2019 and signals yet another powerful tech player tightening its grip on Formula 1’s data-driven future.

While the financial details remain under wraps, the deal reportedly values the Mercedes F1 team at an eye-watering $6 billion – further proof that F1’s commercial rocket ride shows no signs of slowing.

A Racer, a Tech Boss… and Now a co-Team Owner

Mercedes confirmed that Kurtz has purchased a 15% chunk of Wolff’s personal holding company – which represents one third of the team – giving the CrowdStrike chief a 5% overall ownership stake. Mercedes-Benz and INEOS each continue to hold their equal one-third shares, keeping governance unchanged.

What does change is the brainpower inside the boardroom. Kurtz will join a high-powered strategic committee alongside Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius, INEOS founder Jim Ratcliffe and Wolff himself.

His mission: sharpen the team’s edge in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and simulation-heavy development — the tools increasingly defining success in modern Formula 1.

It helps that Kurtz isn’t the typical billionaire investor. The 55-year-old American entrepreneur is a racer in his own right.

He’s a class winner at Le Mans, Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Spa and more. Few F1 shareholders have this kind of motorsport résumé, and even fewer have built a multibillion-dollar AI-driven cybersecurity empire on the side.

©Instagram/G.Kurtz

“Winning in racing and cybersecurity requires speed, precision, and innovation. Milliseconds matter. Execution counts. Data wins,” said Kurtz.

“Technology is reshaping competitive advantage and human capability everywhere, including motorsport. I'm excited to help the team securely accelerate forward.”

Wolff’s 'Unusual' Partner

For Wolff – a man famously selective about his inner circle – Kurtz is the sort of hybrid figure Formula 1 increasingly prizes: part racer, part technologist, part empire builder.

"George's background is unusual in its breadth: he's a racer, a loyal sporting ambassador for Mercedes-AMG, and an exceptional entrepreneur,” Wolff said.

“He understands both the demands of racing and the realities of building and scaling technology businesses. That combination brings specific insight that is increasingly relevant to the future of Formula One."

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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.