Mercedes has revealed that George Kurtz, an American billionaire and the founder of cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike, is now a co-owner of the team. He has acquired a minority stake previously owned by team principal Toto Wolff. Wolff retains a one-third ownership stake and will continue to serve as both team principal and CEO. The team’s governance structure remains unchanged, with Kurtz joining Wolff, Mercedes-Benz chief Ola Kallenius, and INEOS leader Sir Jim Ratcliffe on the strategic steering committee.
According to Wolff, Kurtz brings a unique background as a racer, Mercedes-AMG ambassador, and successful entrepreneur. His experience in both racing and technology businesses provides valuable insight for the future of Formula 1. Kurtz has obtained a 15 percent stake in Wolff’s portion of Mercedes F1 ownership, with reports suggesting the team’s total value is approximately £4.5 billion.
Aside from his business achievements, Kurtz is also an accomplished racing driver, starting his motorsport career in 2016. He notably won the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 Pro-Am category and secured class victories at endurance events in Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Indianapolis. In addition to his role as co-owner at Mercedes, Kurtz will provide technology advisory support.
Kurtz emphasized the importance of speed, precision, and innovation in both racing and cybersecurity, highlighting the role of technology in reshaping competitive advantages. The ownership structure of Mercedes F1 is now evenly split among Wolff, Kurtz, Ratcliffe, and the Mercedes-Benz Group, each holding a 33.3 percent stake.
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