Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff’s staggering net worth could potentially enable him to acquire a significant stake in Manchester United. Wolff is reportedly on the brink of selling part of his 33 per cent stake in the Formula 1 team, a deal that would value the Brackley-based outfit at £4.6billion.
The remaining major stakes in the team are held by Mercedes-Benz and Man United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS company. The Austrian billionaire, who will continue as chief executive officer and team principal, is believed to be in advanced negotiations with an undisclosed buyer for the sale of “a mid-single-digit stake” in the team via Wolff’s holding company. This transaction would set a record valuation for a Formula 1 team, surpassing last month’s purchase of a stake in McLaren’s ownership company which valued the team at £3.5bn, according to sports business media outlet Sportico.
A five per cent stake in the team’s overall valuation of £4.6bn would yield Wolff approximately £230m, further boosting his already enormous net worth, currently estimated to be around £1.4bn.
While this wouldn’t be sufficient to buy United outright – the majority owners, the Glazers, would demand around £5bn to consider selling up – Wolff could feasibly match the £1.25bn Ratcliffe paid for his 27.7 per cent share in the club he bought in 2024, which saw him assume control of football operations.
A Mercedes F1 spokesperson said: “We will be making no comment on this. The governance of the team will remain unchanged, and all three partners (Mercedes-Benz, Toto and INEOS) are fully committed to the ongoing success of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One.”
While the worth of Mercedes’ F1 outfit has rocketed in recent years, their performance has headed in the opposite direction since Max Verstappen controversially beat Lewis Hamilton to the drivers’ championship in 2021, the year they last claimed the constructors’ crown.
Following the technical regulation shake-up for 2022, Mercedes have struggled, securing just seven grand prix victories, having been surpassed by Red Bull and subsequently McLaren.
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They currently occupy second place in this year’s team standings, with Red Bull and Ferrari close behind. McLaren have already clinched their second consecutive title.
Mercedes are the early favourites for success in 2026, which will see major changes in engine and technical regulations. The 2025 F1 season continues with round 22, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, later this month. McLaren’s Lando Norris has one hand on the championship following consecutive victories in Mexico and Brazil.