F1 – Ferrari and Mercedes among the richest teams in global sports
In professional sports, a team’s economic value has become an increasingly relevant indicator of brand success, investment appeal, and global reach. A recent comparison highlighted two iconic entities: Real Madrid, the symbol of world football, and Scuderia Ferrari, a legend in Formula 1. Despite the profound differences between the two worlds, the numbers reveal a surprising closeness, with the Spanish club slightly ahead of the Italian team in one of the most prestigious rankings.
Forbes ranking: Ferrari close to football giants
According to Forbes’ list of the 50 most valuable sports teams in the world, Real Madrid ranks 20th with an estimated value of $6.7 billion. This makes it the first non-American team in the ranking, emphasizing the global strength of the Madrid brand beyond American dominance.
Ferrari, meanwhile, reaches $6.5 billion, placing slightly lower but still at an exceptionally high level, on par with Manchester City. The gap is minimal—just $200 million—yet it is enough to place Real Madrid ahead of the historic Maranello team. For context, Barcelona sits at $5.6 billion, making it even lower than Mercedes, which is valued at $6 billion.
American dominance and F1’s emerging role
The Forbes ranking is dominated by NFL franchises, which occupy 30 out of 50 positions, confirming the absolute supremacy of American sports leagues. The Dallas Cowboys lead the list with $13 billion, tripling their value in just six years. In this almost monopolistic landscape, Formula 1 is rapidly gaining ground.
Just a year ago, no F1 team was in the top 50; today, Ferrari and Mercedes have both entered strongly, registering value growth between 55% and 60% in twelve months. Liberty Media, owner of F1’s commercial rights, is pushing to emulate the NFL model, turning Grand Prix events into spectacular global showcases like those in Las Vegas and Miami, designed to evoke a Super Bowl-like atmosphere.
The explosive growth of F1 teams
F1’s business is undergoing a phase of strong revaluation thanks to fresh capital inflows and increased media interest. Among the leading teams, McLaren is valued at $4.4 billion, Red Bull at $4.3 billion, Aston Martin at $3.2 billion, Williams at $2.5 billion, Alpine at $2.4 billion, Audi at $2.4 billion, and Racing Bulls at $2.3 billion.
At the lower end, Haas is the only team below $2 billion, around $1.5 billion, penalized by strong technical dependence on Ferrari and the need for significant investment to gain greater independence. Williams is a notable growth case, multiplying its value fourteen times in six years, demonstrating how a solid project can attract top-tier investors.
Alternative valuations and financial insights
Alongside Forbes, independent analyses suggest even higher figures for top teams. The BusinessBook GP study by Marc Limacher, for instance, estimates Ferrari at around €7 billion, Mercedes at €6 billion, and both McLaren and Red Bull around €5 billion. These differences highlight how market value incorporates subjective elements tied to brand, timing, and future prospects, making estimates partially variable depending on the study.
It is important to distinguish team value from operational profitability. Mercedes, for example, closed 2024 with an EBITDA of $227 million, ranking it among the most profitable sports teams globally. The introduction of budget caps has improved economic sustainability, allowing dividend distribution, as with Toto Wolff. This financial stability attracts major investors: James Ratcliffe and George Kurtz in Mercedes, Lawrence Stroll in Aston Martin, Dorilton in Williams, and billionaires Dan Towriss and Mark Walter for Cadillac. The capital flow demonstrates that Formula 1 is now perceived as a high-potential investment sector.
A historic transition in the sports business
Despite this rapid rise, many F1 fans—so-called “petrolheads”—struggle to accept that a football club like Real Madrid economically surpasses the legendary Scuderia Ferrari. Yet the numbers reflect an evolving reality: the sports business is globalizing and professionalizing, with Formula 1 steadily gaining ground against major American leagues, while still not reaching their absolute dominance.
The comparison between Real Madrid and Ferrari thus symbolizes this transition, where tradition, brand strength, and revenue generation intertwine in an increasingly competitive and forward-looking market. The growth seen so far is only the beginning of a trajectory that could hold further surprises in the coming years.
The entry of Ferrari and Mercedes into the ranks of the world’s most valuable sports franchises therefore marks a new era for Formula 1. By adopting the financial structures of major U.S. sports leagues while maintaining their unique European heritage, these teams are proving to be as formidable in the boardroom as they are on the track. Based on the content of these latest financial reports, the “valuation race” in the paddock is becoming just as intense as the battle for the World Championship.
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