Why is Mercedes F1 now worth more than Liverpool, Barcelona & PSG?
The world of sports has always been a fascinating and lucrative industry, with top teams and franchises often commanding staggering valuations. In recent years, the rise of Formula 1 (F1) has been particularly notable, with the sport experiencing a surge in popularity and attracting significant investment from around the globe. One team that has been at the forefront of this trend is Mercedes F1, which has just been valued at an astonishing ₹53,774 crore ($6.8 billion) following a significant investment from CrowdStrike Founder George Kurtz.
Kurtz, who founded the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike in 2011, has acquired a 15% stake in Toto Wolff’s investment company, which owns one-third of Mercedes F1. This deal gives Kurtz an effective 5% stake in the team, and values Mercedes F1 at a staggering ₹53,774 crore. To put this in perspective, according to Forbes estimates, Mercedes F1 is now worth more than some of the biggest names in football, including Liverpool (₹48,397 crore), Barcelona (₹50,637 crore), and PSG (₹41,227 crore).
So, what makes Mercedes F1 so valuable? The answer lies in a combination of factors, including the team’s on-track success, its strong brand, and the growing popularity of F1 as a whole. Mercedes has been one of the dominant forces in F1 in recent years, winning numerous championships and consistently producing high-performance cars. This success has helped to build a loyal fan base and attract significant sponsorship deals, which have contributed to the team’s impressive valuation.
Another key factor in Mercedes F1’s valuation is the growing popularity of F1. The sport has experienced a significant surge in interest in recent years, thanks in part to the success of the Netflix documentary series “Drive to Survive,” which has helped to attract new fans and increase engagement among existing ones. This has led to increased sponsorship and advertising revenue, as well as higher TV rights deals, which have all contributed to the team’s valuation.
The investment from George Kurtz is also a significant factor in Mercedes F1’s valuation. Kurtz’s stake in the team is a vote of confidence in the sport and the team, and demonstrates the attractiveness of F1 as an investment opportunity. The deal is also a testament to the strong leadership and vision of Toto Wolff, who has been instrumental in building Mercedes F1 into one of the most successful and valuable teams in the sport.
The implications of this deal are significant, and demonstrate the changing landscape of the sports industry. The fact that a F1 team is now worth more than some of the biggest names in football is a remarkable shift, and highlights the growing importance of F1 as a major player in the global sports market. It also demonstrates the attractiveness of F1 as an investment opportunity, and is likely to lead to further investment and growth in the sport in the coming years.
In conclusion, the valuation of Mercedes F1 at ₹53,774 crore is a significant milestone for the team and the sport as a whole. The combination of on-track success, strong brand, and growing popularity of F1 have all contributed to the team’s impressive valuation, and demonstrate the changing landscape of the sports industry. As F1 continues to grow and attract new fans and investment, it will be exciting to see how the sport evolves and what the future holds for teams like Mercedes F1.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/crowdstrike-founder-kurtz-buys-into-mercedes-f1-team-2025-11-20/
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