Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff sells a piece of his ownership stake to CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz

Core Insights - Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 is undergoing a change in ownership, with George Kurtz acquiring a minority stake, valued at $6 billion for the team [2][3][6] Group 1: Ownership and Investment - George Kurtz has acquired a 15% minority interest in Toto Wolff's ownership entity, equating to a 5% stake in the Mercedes F1 team [3] - The financial terms of Kurtz's investment were not disclosed, but the overall valuation of the Mercedes team is set at $6 billion [2] Group 2: Strategic Role and Technology Focus - Kurtz will serve as a technology advisor for Mercedes F1, focusing on enhancing data analytics and AI-driven development processes [4][5] - His role includes expanding U.S. and global tech partnerships, leveraging CrowdStrike's AI-powered protection for the team's infrastructure [5] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The ownership change comes as Mercedes aims to regain its competitive edge in Formula 1 after a decline in performance relative to McLaren and Red Bull [6] - The team previously dominated the sport with eight consecutive constructors' titles from 2014 to 2021 but has not won since [6] Group 4: Market Trends - The popularity of Formula 1 in the U.S. is on the rise, driven by media exposure and the addition of new races, including a Cadillac-sponsored team next year [7]