McLaren Racing, the Formula 1team featuring driversOscar Piastri and Lando Norris, has reached a valuation exceeding £3 billion following a change in its ownership structure. This transition involved Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, and Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings acquiring all minority shares, consolidating their full control over the team. This development marks a major milestone in McLaren’s recent resurgence and underscores the commercial growth within Formula 1.
The deal represents a remarkable sixfold increase in McLaren’s value compared to 2020, when US investment firm MSP Capital purchased a 33% stake for £185 million, valuing the team at £560 million. With MSP and other minority shareholders now exiting, Mumtalakat and CYVN are the sole owners, providing a streamlined governance setup for McLaren’s future.
CEO Zak Brown reflected on the milestone, saying,
“It’s a great day for McLaren. It has been an amazing quest to get back to where we are. It wasn’t long ago our business was extremely challenged and we weren’t competitive. So, five years later, this underlines the success F1 is having in the cost-cap era and has enabled us to be competitive. It’s great to have McLaren back at the front again and great to have a simplified ownership structure.”
—Zak Brown, CEO
Financial Recovery From Pandemic Struggles Strengthens McLaren
McLaren faced severe financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, once resorting to using its car collection as collateral for funding. Today, the firm enjoys a far stronger position thanks to the ownership consolidation. Mumtalakat’s long-term involvement combined with CYVN’s expanding role in McLaren Automotive solidifies support for sustained growth and long-term stability.
Executive chairman Paul Walsh commented on the investor changes:
Image of: Lando Norris
“Our suite of minority investors came on board in 2020 and we thank them for their tremendous support… We now have two fantastic shareholders in Mumtalakat, a long-standing and deeply valued partner, and CYVN, whose additional investment… strengthens our ability to future-proof the business and capture new growth opportunities.”
—Paul Walsh, Executive Chairman
This ownership realignment aligns McLaren’s commercial success with its on-track performance, creating a balance that few anticipated just five years ago.
On-Track Success Reflects McLaren’s Rising Market Value
The surge in McLaren’s valuation parallels its resurgence as a leading force in Formula 1. Since last securing the Constructors’ championship in 1998, McLaren stunned the paddock in 2024 by edging out Ferrari by 14 points to claim the title after a strong finish post-Miami. This momentum has extended into the 2025 season, with McLaren dominating the championship standings.
DriversOscar Piastri and Lando Norris have collectively won 13 of 15 races in 2025, achieving seven one-two finishes. They are closing in on the record held by Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, who achieved ten one-two finishes for McLaren in 1988. The team leads the Constructors’ championship with 584 points, far ahead of Ferrari’s 260, while Piastri and Norris occupy the top two spots in the drivers’ rankings, with 309 and 275 points respectively, ahead of Max Verstappen in third with 205 points. With nine races remaining, McLaren appears poised to secure both championshiptitles again this year.
Leadership and Driver Stability Propel McLaren’s Strong Prospects
Key to McLaren’s recent achievements are the collaborative leadership of CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella. Since Stella’s appointment in 2022, their partnership has been instrumental in crafting an efficient and competitive team culture. Long-term contracts with Norris and Piastri ensure stability amidst upcoming regulatory changes set for 2026, positioning McLaren to continue its upward trajectory.
If the current performance and strategic direction persist, the McLaren valuation driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s in-season success is expected to increase further, reinforcing McLaren’s return as a championship contender and a commercial powerhouse within Formula 1.
