Forbes' Most Valuable Teams List: Ferrari and Mercedes Make the Cut, Champions Don't
Ferrari and Mercedes join Forbes' list of most valuable sports teams, but 2025's on-track champions, McLaren and Red Bull, are notably absent.
For the first time, Formula 1 teams have landed on Forbes' annual list of the world's 50 most valuable sports teams. Ferrari and Mercedes represent the pinnacle of motorsport on the ranking, with the Scuderia leading the charge at 26th overall, valued at $6.5 billion. Mercedes follows closely behind at 34th, with a valuation of $6 billion, highlighting the immense commercial power of F1's legacy brands.
Why it matters:
This ranking underscores that a team's historical brand and commercial power can far outweigh its current on-track success. Ferrari's valuation, despite a winless 2025 season, highlights how global recognition and legacy drive financial worth. It's a stark reminder that in the high-stakes world of F1, business success and racing success don't always move in parallel, rewarding long-term brand equity over short-term results.
The details:
- Ferrari: Ranked 26th with a valuation of $6.5 billion, tying with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. This comes after a difficult 2025 season where the team failed to secure a single Grand Prix win.
- Mercedes: Ranked 34th at $6 billion, tying with the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers. The team finished second in the 2025 Constructors' Championship, powered by two race victories from George Russell.
- Notable Absences: The 2025 Constructors' Champions, McLaren, and Max Verstappen's Red Bull Racing are both missing from the list, despite their dominant on-track performance throughout the season.
- The Top Spot: For context, the Dallas Cowboys top the entire list, valued at an astonishing $13 billion—more than Ferrari and Mercedes combined.
Looking ahead:
The inclusion of F1 teams on this prestigious list solidifies the sport's soaring global commercial appeal. As F1 heads into a new era of regulations in 2026, the financial muscle of teams like Ferrari and Mercedes will be a critical factor in their ability to compete for championships. This proves that brand value is a powerful and enduring currency in modern motorsport.