Bahrain, Abu Dhabi Funds Take Full Ownership Of McLaren Racing

Last Updated:September 03, 2025, 09:03 IST

McLaren Racing runs teams in Formula One, IndyCars and plans to enter World Endurance Championship from 2027.

McLaren Racing are the current F1 World constructors' champions. (AP Photo)

Bahrain’s Mumtalakat and Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings assumed full ownership of McLaren Racing on Tuesday in a transaction that is reportedly valued at $5 billion.

A statement from McLaren Group confirmed the acquisition of all shares previously held by MSP Sports Capital, funds managed by O’Connor Capital Solutions, Ares Sports, Media and Entertainment funds, and Caspian Funds.

MSP stated that the terms of the deal would remain confidential.

Sky News, citing sources, had earlier reported that the sale of the 30% stake would value the team at over three billion pounds ($4.05 billion).

One source familiar with the matter suggested to Reuters that the figure was $5 billion.

Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat will continue as the majority shareholder, while CYVN, which is majority-owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, will hold a non-controlling stake.

CYVN established McLaren Group Holdings last April after acquiring sportscar manufacturer McLaren Automotive.

McLaren Racing operates teams in Formula One, U.S.-based IndyCars, and will join the World Endurance Championship in 2027.

U.S.-based investment group MSP and others acquired a significant minority stake in 2020, when McLaren required funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deal, which involved a maximum 33% stake by 2022, valued the British racing team at 560 million pounds at that time.

Since then, McLaren has risen as a dominant force in the sport, securing the constructors’ title last year for the first time since 1998 and is on track to win both titles this season, with Oscar Piastri leading Lando Norris.

Formula One’s popularity is experiencing a global surge, boosted by the Netflix docu-series ‘Drive to Survive’ and Brad Pitt’s recent Hollywood blockbuster F1.

Paul Walsh, McLaren Group Executive Chairman, expressed gratitude towards the minority investors who joined in 2020 for their tremendous support over the past few years, which helped set McLaren Racing on a path to commercial growth and financial stability.

He added that the simplified ownership structure strengthens their ability to future-proof the business and seize new growth opportunities.

MSP Sports Capital CEO Jeff Moorad and chairman Jahm Najafi will step down from their positions on the McLaren Racing board.

Ares Management stated that proceeds from the transaction will be used to return capital to investors and further solidify its position as an experienced investor across the sports ecosystem.

With Reuters Inputs

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

Read More

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First Published:

September 03, 2025, 09:03 IST

News sports Bahrain, Abu Dhabi Funds Take Full Ownership Of McLaren Racing

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