Formula 1 tipped to go private by 2029 in deal that could be worth £22bn

David Maffei, the former leader of Formula 1's parent company Liberty Media, anticipates the business will be privatized within a couple of years for a sum approaching $30 billion. The company's stock has risen 250% since 2017, courtesy of Formula 1's growing appeal, particularly in the United States. This surge in value could enable Liberty Media, which has since acquired MotoGP and merged it with F1 shares, to profit immensely. Currently, the market capitalization stands at around $28 billion.

During a discussion at the Sportico Invest New York 2026 conference, Maffei stated that he would classify Formula 1 as gone if he had to wager. He further added that the final decision on F1's status lies with the public markets and the board, which holds a fiduciary duty. F1's recent growth can be attributed to an improved media offering, including the popular Netflix series Drive to Survive, an expanded calendar, and enhanced returns from commercial partnerships.

Maffei noted that the initial profits have already been realized, with the company's EBITDA increasing threefold over the past eight to nine years. He emphasized that such growth is unlikely to continue at the same pace in the future.

The most probable buyers for a privatized Formula 1 are likely to be sovereign wealth funds or a group of private equity firms, considering the high price tag associated with the business and the current high cost of debt. An alternative scenario could involve a management buyout, where an investor collaborates with team owners and principals to establish a structure similar to that of prominent U.S. sports leagues.

However, any change in ownership must first be approved by the FIA, the governing body of motorsport, which owns the intellectual property of F1 and leases the commercial rights to Liberty Media. This arrangement is set to last until the end of the century. Formula 1 has been approached for comment on the matter.