Liberty Media, the owner of Formula 1 since 2017, is reportedly preparing to sell the iconic motorsport series, with a potential sale expected to take place in 2026. According to multiple reports, including from The Times and Grandprixnews, Liberty Media has delayed the sale for now but is likely to bring Formula 1 to the market next year amid growing investor interest and the sport’s significant growth under its ownership.
Since acquiring Formula 1 for $4.4 billion, Liberty Media has overseen a substantial expansion in the sport’s popularity and financial performance. Formula 1’s revenue nearly doubled from $1.83 billion in 2017 to $3.65 billion in 2024, with global race attendance also rising sharply. The success of the Netflix series *Drive to Survive* and strategic global race additions have helped boost F1’s fanbase and commercial value.
Meanwhile, Liberty Media is finalizing its $4.5 billion acquisition of MotoGP’s parent company, Dorna Sports, pending regulatory approval from the European Union. This move would bring both premier motorsport championships under one ownership, raising concerns about potential monopolistic effects in the motorsport broadcasting market.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund reportedly made a $20 billion bid to acquire Formula 1, which Liberty Media rejected, dismissing the rumors as speculation.
Liberty Media’s decision to sell Formula 1 appears driven by a strategic shift to simplify its capital structure and focus on other assets, including the newly acquired MotoGP. The sale could mark a new chapter for Formula 1 as it continues to grow globally under new ownership.
