In a revealing snapshot of global sports finance, only two Formula 1 teams have secured a place among the world's 50 most valuable sports franchises for 2025, with championship-winning McLaren notably absent from the prestigious list.
Ferrari and Mercedes Lead F1's Financial Charge
The annual ranking from Forbes, published on December 27, 2025, placed Scuderia Ferrari in 26th position, tying with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers at a staggering valuation of $6.5 billion (£4.9bn). Ferrari's financial allure has been significantly boosted by the high-profile arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team also made the elite group, tying for 34th place with a $6 billion (£4.5bn) valuation, sharing the spot with the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Chargers. This marks a return to the top 50 for the German squad after it missed out in the 2024 rankings.
Notable Omissions Despite On-Track Success
The list's exclusions are as telling as its inclusions. McLaren F1 Team was omitted altogether, despite a period of remarkable sporting dominance that saw them sweep both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championship titles. Their rival, Oracle Red Bull Racing, also failed to feature, as did the ambitious Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team, notwithstanding a major recruitment drive and influx of global sponsors under owner Lawrence Stroll.
The 2025 list continues to be dominated by American sports, particularly the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys retained top spot with a colossal $13 billion (£9.7bn) valuation. The Golden State Warriors (NBA) and Los Angeles Rams (NFL) completed the top three. In European football, Real Madrid led the way, with Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool also representing English football in the top 50.
McLaren's Confidence for the Future
Despite their current absence from this financial elite, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has clear aspirations to join Ferrari and Mercedes in the rankings in coming years. The Woking-based team has transformed from midfield contenders to a front-running brand under his leadership.
With new technical regulations set to shake up the competitive order in 2026, Team Principal Andrea Stella expressed strong confidence in McLaren's technical department. "The technical team at McLaren is particularly strong," Stella stated, highlighting key figures like Peter Prodromou and Rob Marshall. "I think from this point of view, this is one of the strongest technical departments that I could have been part of in my career, 26 years in Formula One."
Stella believes the team's working methods and development standards will carry them forward successfully into the new era, making them optimistic for the 2026 season and, by extension, their future commercial valuation.
