American billonaire officially buys stake and joins board in team alongside Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Manchester United fans watching the wider world of INEOS investment will find today’s news particularly intriguing.

The group behind United have made a major move in Formula 1, signaling their ambition across sport, business, and technology.

As commercial partnerships in elite sport converge, the lines between football and motorsport are arguably more blurred than ever.

INEOS’ influence at United has been visible since their takeover, both in the boardroom and in recruitment, and now their F1 strategy is being supercharged.

Their long-term thinking has always been evident, and this latest deal may reveal just how much they value synergy between their sporting interests.

The big story is that George Kurtz, the CEO and Founder of cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike, has become a co-owner of the Mercedes‑AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, formally acquiring a 15% minority stake, as announced by Mercedes on their website.

That ownership now sits alongside INEOS, Mercedes‑Benz, and Toto Wolff, as the shareholding structure evolves.

Crucially, Kurtz will also serve as Technology Advisor to the team, bringing his cutting-edge tech expertise into the heart of their operation.

In addition to this investment, Kurtz will join Mercedes’ strategic steering committee, working closely with Toto Wolff, INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Ola Kallenius.

While the core governance doesn’t changem, Wolff remains in his executive roles, Kurtz’s position adds significant firepower in tech and innovation.

His CV is impressive: a seasoned endurance driver, a global business leader, and an entrepreneur who has built the most successful modern AI cybersecurity firm.

Kurtz’s remit will focus on merging performance data analytics with the team’s competitive operations, seeking to power F1 performance through next-level technology.

But he’s not just in it for the racing, he’ll also lead efforts to deepen the team’s reach with major technology partners, especially in the U.S.

He is ideally placed to bridge the gap between elite motorsport and large-scale tech investment.

For Manchester United, the importance of this cannot be overstated: INEOS already plays a major role at Old Trafford, and their willingness to back Kurtz in F1 suggests an even broader and more ambitious sporting strategy.

Interestingly, INEOS previously had a major sponsorship deal with Tottenham Hotspur, but that relationship ended in a legal row.

As United navigate a challenging new era, their ties to global tech and racing through INEOS highlight just how strategic their ownership group is thinking.