Toto Wolff tipped to sell Mercedes stake as Sky Sports F1 pundit shares inside knowledge

Sky Sports Formula One analyst Craig Slater has raised doubts about whether Toto Wolff should consider selling a portion of his ownership in Mercedes, given the significant growth in its value in recent years.

The popularity of Netflix’s Drive to Survive has led to increased interest in Formula One, and the demand for F1 is arguably at its peak, with a record-breaking 24 races scheduled for the 2024 season. There are speculations that more investors are looking to enter the scene as well.

Investors who acquired stakes in F1 teams have witnessed substantial growth in their investments, with Wolff being one of those who has experienced a notable increase. According to Slater, Wolff initially bought his stake in Mercedes for €50 million, and it is currently valued at around €3 billion. In 2013, Wolff obtained a 30 percent stake in Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd after becoming an executive director.

Slater shared on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, “Some insiders have suggested that certain F1 team owners, considering the increased value of their teams, are questioning whether the sport has reached its peak. They may be contemplating selling at this opportune moment. With Williams reportedly being sold for £140 million and now potentially worth close to a billion pounds, prospective owners like the Andretti family may be deterred by the high price tag of acquiring an F1 team.”

He further discussed the potential motivations for current owners like Dorilton, Toto Wolff, and Lawrence Stroll to sell, especially considering the substantial gains they have made in a relatively short period.

In summary, Slater wonders if the current climate, characterized as relatively favorable compared to previous years, might tempt F1 team owners to capitalize on the increased value of their teams.