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Toto Wolff is in advanced talks to sell part of his ownership stake in the Mercedes Formula 1 team.

This transaction estimates Mercedes at £4.6 billion – an unprecedented figure for a Formula 1 squad – following McLaren were valued at £3.5 billion in a change of ownership structure last September.

The Austrian executive, who holds one-third of Mercedes F1, would sell a stake approximately five percent.

The 53-year-old would stay on as team principal and CEO should the deal proceed.

Ownership Breakdown

The other shareholders in the team are Mercedes and industrial group Ineos Group, who each also own one-third of the enterprise.

An official representative stated: "We are providing no official statement on the matter. The governance of Mercedes F1 stays unaltered, and all three partners are fully committed to continued achievements of the brand in Formula One."

Valuation Increase

This arrangement would represent a substantial rise in worth of Mercedes F1 after Ineos Group bought its share for £208m in 2022.

The rise demonstrates the expansion in valuations of Formula 1 outfits recently due to the growing popularity of Formula 1 around the world.

This trend was evident with the success of the Formula 1 film featuring Hollywood star Brad Pitt, which was released in summer 2023 and has grossed over $630 million (£458 million) at the box office.

The film represents the actor's top-grossing film and the most successful sports movie ever released.

Present Standings

Mercedes are second in the constructors' championship, behind McLaren, with three Grands Prix left this season.

Mercedes' primary racer George Russell has won 2 of the 21 races so far and is fourth in the individual standings after McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen.

The team secured a unprecedented eight straight team titles and seven driver championships, six won by Lewis Hamilton and one by Nico Rosberg, from 2014 and 2021.