Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff is reportedly negotiating the sale of about five percent of his one-third ownership in the team. According to Sportico and independently verified by BBC Sport, the 53-year-old Austrian would remain in his current roles if the deal goes ahead. Mercedes F1 is now jointly owned by three equal partners: Mercedes-Benz, Ineos, and Toto Wolff.

The transaction would value the Mercedes Formula 1 team at approximately €5.3 billion, surpassing McLaren’s valuation of €4.1 billion following its ownership restructure earlier this year.

BBC Sport quoted a team spokesperson as saying:

“We will be making no comment on this. The governance of the team will remain unchanged, and all three partners are fully committed to the ongoing success of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One.”

The deal would represent a remarkable rise in the team’s worth since Ineos paid around €240 million for its one-third share in 2022, as highlighted by BBC Sport. The sharp increase mirrors the rapid growth in Formula 1’s commercial value worldwide, supported by record audiences, new sponsors, and expanding markets.

That boom has also been reflected in the success of the F1 film starring Brad Pitt, which has grossed more than €580 million globally, becoming the actor’s biggest box-office success and the highest-grossing sports movie ever made.

On track, Mercedes currently sit second in the Constructors’ Championship behind McLaren, with three races remaining this season. George Russell has taken two victories this year, while the team continues its pursuit of a return to title-winning form after its record-breaking run of eight straight constructors’ championships from 2014 to 2021.