Initiate Magazine’s Post

"The Qatar Investment Authority is buying a stake in the Audi Formula One racing team, joining other Gulf sovereign funds who have been channeling their vast wealth into global sports franchises. The $510 billion fund has agreed to acquire a 'significant minority' shareholding in Sauber Holding AG, the company overseeing Audi's bid to join the racing circuit, according to a joint statement Friday. The deal gives Audi capital to build out its team and infrastructure at its F1 development sites in Neuburg, Germany, and Hinwil, Switzerland. Audi is preparing to enter the competition in 2026, when regulations change to increase the use of e-fuels and ensure greater electrical propulsion. Qatar is one of the top shareholders of Audi parent Volkswagen AG, with the F1 investment expected to further increase ties. The Gulf nation's commitment to Audi's racing ambitions comes as Volkswagen weathers a major restructuring on the back of an economic slowdown, the rise of electric vehicles and increasing competition from China. Using its enormous financial reserves, Qatar in past decades has splashed out billions of dollars on expanding its global clout in different sectors ranging from sports to luxury brands. It is one of several Gulf states to host grand prix events, with its own Doha race taking place this weekend."

🏎️ Qatar’s Bold Move: A Game-Changer for Formula 1 and Audi! 🏁 Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is hitting top gear in global motorsport by acquiring a 30% stake in Audi’s Formula 1 team—valued at $360 million. This strategic investment marks a monumental step for both QIA and Audi, as they prepare to make waves on the F1 grid starting in 2026. Why does this matter? 🔹 Financial Boost 🔹 F1 Expansion in the Gulf 🔹 Global Visibility As Audi transforms from engine supplier to full-fledged F1 contender, this partnership is a thrilling intersection of ambition, innovation, and Gulf investment in global sports. Will this move redefine F1 competition? 👉 Click on the link to know more! https://lnkd.in/dBEit3FU #QatarInvestment #AudiF1 #Formula1 #MotorsportInnovation #TheGulfLeaders #QIA #LuxuryAutomotive #GlobalMotorsport #F1Updates

Qatar Investment Authority buys a 30% stake in the AUDI AG Formula 1 racing team!!! The Gulf's embrace of #sports is growing as Institutional Investors continue to invest in global sports. While the exact amount has not been disclosed, this announcement should be made tomorrow, the first day of the Qatar Grand Prix. The influx of ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ would give Qatar Investment Authority a minority stake in Audi. QIA already holds a 17% stake in Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen Group. Though this is the first instance of Gulf’s presence in racing sports, here are some of the past sports deals: - Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have already been hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix events. - Qatar Airways is the official airline partner for Formula 1. - Last year, the QIA took a minority stake in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates seven professional and amateur team franchises, six venues, and two media networks, among other assets. - Saudi Arabia is said to have expressed interest in taking a $5 Billion stake in the world’s richest cricket league, Indian Premier League India, at a valuation of $30 Billion. As the Gulf’s embrace of #sports continues to grow, the region’s sovereign wealth funds are emerging as game changers in reshaping the global sports economy. Ref: Financial Times, Samuel Agini and Chloe Cornish #qatar #saudiarabia #bahrain #formula1 #sports #racing #audi #volkswagen

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘅 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗤𝗜𝗔 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗮 𝟯𝟬% 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶'𝘀 𝗙𝟭 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺. Qatar Investment Authority, the #SovereignWealthFund of Qatar would have paid ~$400 Million to acquire its 30% stake in the new Audi F1 Project team basis the last valuation shared by Sportico for Stake Sauber at ~$1.2 Billion. Audi's F1 plans kicked off with acquiring Sauber and an entry in #F1 as an engine manufacturer in 2026 with the new regulation changes. QIA is the third largest investor in AUDI AG's parent company Volkswagen Group holding 17% since 2009. The Formula 1 2024 calendar began with the news of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company ("Mumtalakat") acquiring a majority stake in McLaren Group.  🔗 Read More here: https://lnkd.in/dwAPceXm? Of the #GCC majors Formula 1 has its home in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE already which showcases strong interest in the sport in the Middle East. 𝘓𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘍1 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘊𝘝𝘊 𝘪𝘯 2017 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯 $8 𝘉𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘫𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴: • Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos owns a third of the Mercedes F1 team • MSP Sports Capital is among the investors with a minority stake in McLaren Racing • Private equity group Arctos Partners owns a minority stake in Aston Martin F1 led by Lawrence Stroll Consortium.  • RedBird Capital Partners and spin-off Otro Capital were among the buyers of a 24 per cent stake in Alpine last year • In principal agreement by General Motors owned Cadillac brand had to enter F1 in 2026. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦: • The money from SWF is patient capital that will help Audi succeed in long-term plans both as an F1 racing team and as an automotive brand. • With Qatar Airways having a long-term association with F1, it may turn out to be the main sponsor apart from Ooredoo Group which is owned by Qatar's Royal Family and the current CEO was formerly in charge of QIA. • It would be worth witnessing if the Public Investment Fund (PIF) or Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) would crack up any deal with the new incoming Cadillac team or other struggling teams like Williams. 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴: 🔗 QIA's investments in India: https://lnkd.in/dqDBPKK4? 🔗 QIA and Byju's issue: https://lnkd.in/du2BFC6d? 🔗 Saudi Arabia investing heavily in sports: https://lnkd.in/diFQzGBm 🔗 Major Global SWFs: https://lnkd.in/drZ9tvGr? I am Faraz Wadhwania, I write about the happenings in the #MiddleEast once a week, usually on Sundays.

The 2024 calendar's curtain drop with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may be the last one for current Formula 1 owner Liberty Media. Saudi Arabia is looking to price Formula 1 at $20 Billion. Liberty Media purchased Formula 1 from CVC in 2016 for $8 billion of enterprise value, which it had bought for $1.7 billion in 2006 and grew fourfold in a decade. In my last week's post, I brought that up as a question as to how Saudi Arabia or UAE would react to Qatar Investment Authority picking a 30% stake in the Audi F1 Project. 🔗 Read More here: https://lnkd.in/dJvgKWyx? Bahrain's #SovereignWealthFund Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company ("Mumtalakat") owns McLaren Group including the racing arm. 🔗 Read More here: https://lnkd.in/dwAPceXm? F1 and #SaudiArabia: 🏎️ A title sponsorship deal between aramco and Aston Martin F1 Team until 2028 along with a 20% stake in the team. 🏎️ Global partnership deal between #aramco and F1. 🏎️ Qiddiya | القدية F1 circuit near Riyadh to be developed at an expense of $500 Million will end up as the longest and fastest circuit on the calendar. 🏎️ The season opener of the F1 Academy all-women's race series was held in Jeddah. 🏎️ Best F1 event in the region award to stc Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. The Bottomline: 🏎️ Saudi Arabia is trying to turn itself into the 'Sports Capital of the World' and leaving no stone unturned for its mega plan of Saudi Vision 2030. 🔗 Saudi Arabia investing heavily in sports: https://lnkd.in/diFQzGBm 🏎️ The valuation of $20 Billion may not be enough for an entire buyout given how popular the sport has turned out after the partnership with Netflix for the show Drive to Service. 🏎️ Saudi Arabia is known to throw capital at the problems but their best shot would be picking a majority stake in F1 while letting a minority one with Liberty media and let them run the show. 🏎️ The investment may not be directly from Saudi Arabia but the asset would be held either by Public Investment Fund (PIF) or Aramco. 🏎️ Saudi Arabia last hinted at investing ~$5 Billion in the Indian Premier League India valuing it at $30 Billion and recently hosted #IPL Auction in Jeddah. Related Posts: 🔗 SA emulating #UAE playbook: https://lnkd.in/de9ERQh9 🔗 Major Global SWFs: https://lnkd.in/drZ9tvGr? I am Faraz Wadhwania, I write about #MiddleEast once a week usually on Sunday Info Source: Bloomberg News

Qatar Sports Investments -QSI- has become influential in the world of #Formula1. They have already invested in #sports teams like Paris Saint-Germain and has been looking to increase its presence in #motorsport. One of the most visible ways that Qatar has been involved in F1 is through many Sponsorships opportunities. #Audi's move into Formula 1 is one of the most anticipated developments in motorsport starting from 2026. Audi's mission is to leverage its #technological and #engineering expertise to become a competitive force in F1, with a focus on sustainable, high-#performance engines. #Labcardi #PitstopLabNews #Leadership #Motorsport #Techonology #Performance #Investments #MiddleEast

"Audi sets the record straight! Despite online rumors, Audi's F1 team is NOT for sale. "We do not engage in speculation. The team is not for sale," said an Audi F1 spokesperson. That means Qatar's QIA sovereign wealth fund won't be taking the wheel anytime soon. But did you know that Qatar already holds a major stake in VW, which owns a large stake in Audi? And Qatar Sports Investments has a 70% stake in PSG football team! Other Gulf states are also invested in motorsports: Saudi Arabia's PIF owns a 20.5% stake in Aston Martin, and Bahrain's Mumtalakat has owned a major stake in McLaren Group since 2007 . #Audi #F1 #Racing #Motorsports #QIA #Qatar #VW #PSG #Football #Investments #GulfStates #SaudiArabia #PIF #AstonMartin #Bahrain #Mumtalakat #McLaren #CYVNHoldings #Automotive #Business #Finance" Startup Qatar

Mumtalakat the SWF of Bahrain completes a full takeover of Mclaren Group which owns the majority shares in the flamboyant Mclaren F1 team. The Story: 📌 McLaren Group announced that Bahrain's Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company ("Mumtalakat") took full ownership of share capital after converting preference shares to ordinary shares. 📌 AUDI AG was another contender for a new infusion in #Mclaren Group that dropped its plans and saw Mercedes-Benz AG turning long-term engine supplier 📌 Mclaren is delighted to have strengthened its longstanding relationship with Mumtalakat Holding Company, the #sovereignwealthfund of #Bahrain that will bring in better governance and focus on delivering long-term business plans, including investment in new products and technologies 📌 #McLarenRacing CEO Zak Brown extended its contract until 2030 which talks about the long-term vision in F1 The Backstory 📌 Mumtalakat acquired a 30% stake in McLaren from former chairman Ron Dennis and the late Mansour Ojjeh in 2007 and has been a key partner since. 📌 The #supercar maker was long under the clutches of financial instability especially during COVID-19 when it took out a £150million loan with the National Bank of Bahrain, sold a stake in its #F1 team, and worked on a sale and leaseback deal of its renowned Technology Centre factory to further cut down a 1000 jobs. This was also possible due to the new budget cap regulations from F1 to reduce the spending by each team and bring in parity. The Positives: 📌 The Bahrain International Circuit was the first one in the #MiddleEast to host a Grandprix in April 2004 paving the way for other #MiddleEastern countries to follow suit. 📌 Apart from #Bahrain, the Middle East also hosts a bunch of races with #Qatar, #SaudiArabia, #Abudhabi in #UAE and #Azerbaijan (Blurry Lines on inclusion) in an attempt to push #tourism and diversify from oil dependency. 📌 The move will also see other #SovereignWealthFunds jumping in with similar deals given the plush purse they garner as #SWFs. The Negatives: 📌 The races in the Middle East have long been under the scanner on account of human rights activists calling out Liberty Media as an opportunist paying no attention to criticism but only money. About Formula1: 📌 Liberty Media purchased Formula 1 from CVC Capital Partners at $8 Billion of enterprise value in 2016. CVC bought the #sport for $1.7 Billion in 2006 and managed to grow it fourfold in a decade 📌 Their partnership with Netflix on introducing #drivetosurvive had brought them and newer and younger fanbase cutting down the stagnation in growth. 📌 CVC also owns the Gujarat Titans franchise in the Indian Premier League India. I am Faraz Wadhwania, I write about #startups, #vcfunding, #investments #fundraising, #venturecapital, #privateequity,#familyoffice etc. React/Share + Follow + Send Connection Request + 🔔 Note: The image is from BIKC with the McLaren-Mercedes F1 Car during my last visit.

Qatar’s Strategic Investment in F1 with Audi 🌍🏎️ The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is making its mark in Formula One, acquiring a 30% stake in Audi's racing venture, reportedly valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. 🚀 🔑 Key Highlights: Announced on a Global Stage: The deal is expected to be revealed during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend at Doha’s Lusail International Circuit. Expanding Influence: QIA already controls 17% of the voting rights in Volkswagen, Audi’s parent company. This marks QIA’s first foray into automotive racing, expanding its footprint in global sports. Regional Presence: This investment enhances the Gulf’s influence in Formula One, joining Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, which already host Grand Prix events. Qatar Airways further solidifies its role as F1’s global airline partner. Sports Portfolio Growth: Last year, QIA acquired a minority stake in Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which owns franchises like the Washington Wizards basketball team. 🛠️ Audi’s F1 Future: Engineering Milestone: Audi, having purchased 100% of Sauber Group, will debut as an engine supplier in 2026, introducing sustainable fuels and advanced hybrid technologies. Strategic Partnership: QIA’s capital aims to bolster Audi’s engineering and technological capabilities to improve its competitiveness in F1. How do you see this shaping Formula One's future? Share your thoughts below. 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 | if you found it helpful. 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 | if you enjoyed the post. Source: Financial Times #FormulaOne #QIA #Sustainability #MiddleEast #SportsInnovation

Big news in Formula 1 as Qatar Investment Authority acquires a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG, set to become the Audi works team in 2026. This investment, according to Mohammed Al-Sowaidi of QIA, positions the team for growth in a rapidly expanding sport. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner calls this a milestone for the Audi F1 project’s long-term strategy. Stefano Zambroni https://lnkd.in/eEFzchTE #PE #PrivateEquity #PrivateEquitySports #PESports #SportsBiz #LinkedinSportsBig