CYVN and Mumtalakat Buy Entire Stake in McLaren Racing

British holding company McLaren Group Limited has completed the purchase of MSP Sports Capital’s entire equity interest in McLaren Racing, including its Formula 1 Team. However, the financial terms of the transaction were confidential and will not be disclosed.

The transaction will enable Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company and CYVN Holding, an advanced mobility operator and investment vehicle based in Abu Dhabi, to increase their share and assume full ownership of the iconic British motor racing business.

Mumtalakat will continue as majority shareholder with CYVN Holdings owning a non-controlling stake. MSP Sports Capital is a New York-based private investment firm that makes equity and credit investments across the global sports ecosystem.

MSP’s investment came at a pivotal moment in the business, providing vital capital that contributed to the company’s efforts in stabilising business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, funding infrastructure upgrades, and retaining and recruiting world-class talent.

Over the last five years, with the support received from its shareholders, McLaren has returned to the front of the Formula 1 grid, rebuilt its competitiveness across multiple racing series, and enhanced its long-term commercial strength.

MSP Sports Capital Partner and Chairman Jahm Najafi said that Formula One has transformed into a global media and entertainment platform thanks in no small part to the vision of savvy team owners like McLaren Group Limited, who have demonstrated time and again, year after year, the ability to drive innovation, performance, and results in a sport they believe has no equal in terms of its long-term economic potential.

MSP Capital Sports Partner and CER Jeff Moorad said that as a long-time sports industry veterans and owners across global leagues and franchises, they saw first-hand what it takes to rebuild iconic brands and position teams for sustained success.

When his company invested in McLaren Racing, their goal was to bring that same experience, capital, and commitment to help restore one of motorsport’s most legendary brands.

“With ownership now consolidated in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, McLaren is poised for an even brighter future, and we look forward to cheering on Zak Brown, Andrea Stella, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and the rest of the team. We also would like to thank our friends at UBS O’Connor and Ares Capital Management, who along with a handful of family offices, came along with us for this incredible journey,” Moorad added.

MSP Sports Capital Out

With this transaction, MSP Sports Capital will no longer hold an equity interest in McLaren Racing. Najafi, currently Vice Chairman of the McLaren Racing board of directors, and Moorad both will vacate their McLaren Racing board seats.

Founded in 2019 by Najafi and Moorad, MSP Sports Capital Partners prioritises controlling and influential stakes in teams, leagues, and adjacent sports-related businesses.

Current investments include a controlling interest in the X Games and the forthcoming X Games League and holdings in European football clubs including Estoril Praia (Portugal), AD Alcorcón (Spain), SK Beveren (Belgium), FC Augsburg (Germany) and Brøndby IF (Denmark).

The firm also made a 2023 investment in the Premier League’s Everton F.C. that it successfully exited in the summer of 2024.