Decoding the Fortune Behind Formula 1 Teams: A Comprehensive Analysis

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30/11/2024 17h21

**Unveiling the Owners Behind Each Formula 1 Team: A Detailed Look**

The world of Formula 1 is as much a showcase of engineering marvels as it is a web of intricate ownership structures. With just ten teams vying for glory on the grid, the sport has emerged as a prime area for investment, attracting billionaires, multinational corporations, and even sovereign wealth funds. Here's an in-depth look at who holds the keys to each Formula 1 team.

**McLaren F1 Team**
The McLaren Racing team falls under the McLaren Group, which is predominantly owned by Bahrain's Mumtalakat Holding Company. The sovereign wealth fund initially became a shareholder in 2007 and gained full ownership in 2023. Additionally, American investment firm MSP Sports Capital owns a 33% stake in the racing team, having increased its investment from an initial 15% share purchased in 2020.

**Scuderia Ferrari**
Ferrari's ownership took a turn in 2015 when it was floated on the New York and Milan stock exchanges. The Agnelli family's holding company, Exor N.V., holds a 22.91% stake, with Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo Ferrari, owning 10%. The remaining 67.09% is publicly owned.

**Oracle Red Bull Racing and VCARB F1 Team**
Both teams are owned by Red Bull GmbH, the Austrian company famous for its energy drink. Founded in 1984 by Dietrich Mateschitz and Chaleo Yoovidhya, the company now sees Mateschitz's 49% share passed on to his son Mark, while Chalerm Yoovidhya holds the majority with 51%.

**Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team**
Ownership is evenly split among three entities: Mercedes-Benz Group, team principal Toto Wolff, and chemical company INEOS. The Mercedes-Benz Group's involvement dates back to 2010, and by 2020, INEOS joined the fold, securing a third of the team's ownership. Wolff also increased his stake to a third, equating the shares across the three parties.

**Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team**
The Formula 1 team based in Silverstone, initially established by Eddie Jordan in 1991, underwent significant changes in 2019 when Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll's consortium acquired it. Renamed Aston Martin in 2021 after Stroll became the executive chairman of the car firm, the team sold a minority share in November 2023 to Arctos Partners, a private equity firm. Future deals involving Aramco remain speculative at this time.

**MoneyGram Haas F1 Team**
Entirely owned by American millionaire Gene Haas through Haas Automation, the Haas F1 Team benefits from Haas's full control. However, this control also means competing with a comparatively smaller budget, although recent sponsorships from MoneyGram and a partnership with Toyota offer financial bolstering.

**BWT Alpine F1 Team**
Mainly owned by the Renault Group, Alpine sold 24% of its shares to investment group Otro Capital in June 2023. The diverse investor pool includes prominent athletes such as Anthony Joshua, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce, alongside celebrity investors like Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

**Williams Racing**
Founded by Frank Williams in 1977, Williams Racing remained in family hands until 2020. That year, the team was sold to Dorilton Capital, a private investment firm based in the U.S. Following Frank Williams's passing in 2021, the Williams family completely stepped away from the team's operations.

**Stake F1 Team (formerly Sauber)**
In early 2023, Audi purchased a minority stake in Sauber, increasing it to full ownership by March 2024. Later that year, Audi sold around 30% of the team to the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar's sovereign wealth fund with vast assets estimated at $526 billion.

From sovereign wealth funds to private equity firms and celebrity investors, the ownership of Formula 1 teams is a testament to the sport's global appeal and lucrative potential. Each team not only represents a blend of cutting-edge technology and razor-sharp competitive spirit but also embodies diverse financial and strategic interests that drive the high-octane world of Formula 1.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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