Mercedes have been told what to expect when Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes his acquisition of a minority stake to invest in Manchester United. The billionaire is already heavily invested in the Formula 1 team through his multinational chemicals company INEOS, but he is now set to take a huge step into English football after agreeing a deal with the Red Devils’ owners, the Glazer family. And Mercedes have learned how it could impact them going forward.
The INEOS CEO is understood to have struck a deal with the Glazer family that will see him purchase a 25 per cent stake for £1.4billion, an investment which will see him take a vested interest in controlling the Premier League club’s football operations.
Ratcliffe’s company also owns a controlling share of French club OGC Nice and there had been concerns that the number of different projects could see him reduce his interest in Mercedes, as he currently owns a 33 per cent share along with Toto Wolff and Daimler.
According to PlanetF1.com, a source close to the 71-year-old has given the Silver Arrows a blunt assurance that Ratcliffe’s new venture will not affect his commitment to Mercedes.
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Ratcliffe’s deal is due to be completed during the two-week international break, which commences on Monday. And despite the heavy capital being invested, it is claimed that it ‘changes nothing’ in terms of INEOS’ financial support for the team.
That will come as no surprise to Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, who maintains a close relationship with Ratcliffe and is aware of all of his sporting investments, including the INEOS Britannia sailing team and seven-time Tour de France winners INEOS Grenadiers in cycling.
Wolff has even addressed potentially joining Ratcliffe in investing in the club and refused to rule out getting involved, so it can be safely assumed the Austrian has no qualms with his business partner’s decision to invest elsewhere.
Speaking before the Brazilian Grand Prix, Wolff told the PA News Agency: “Jim has shared the trajectory with me.
“I very much respect his values and we trust each other. If we felt it would make sense to be part of the investment group then I would certainly look at it.”
The eight-time Constructors’ champions have endured a difficult two-year period since the regulations changed in 2022 and their slice of the pie has been reduced as Red Bull have reclaimed top spot in F1.
However, they remain one of F1’s most valuable brands along with Ferrari. The team’s overall value is still said to exceed £3bn – making them the crown jewel in the INEOS portfolio until United officially become part of Ratcliffe’s network of sporting franchises.
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