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

Greg Maffei, former chief executive of Formula 1’s parent company Liberty Media, expects F1 to be taken private within two years, potentially in a deal worth $30bn (£22bn). Such a sale could let Liberty realise a substantial gain after the value of F1 shares rose sharply, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity, particularly in the United States.

F1’s market capitalisation is nearing $28bn (£21bn), and its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation have tripled in eight or nine years, Maffei said. He cited the Netflix series Drive to Survive, a longer race calendar and stronger commercial partnerships as drivers of growth, while cautioning that the same rate of expansion is unlikely to continue. Potential buyers could include sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms or a management group involving team owners; any ownership change would need approval from the FIA.