Update:
Mercedes and Microsoft confirm a multiyear partnership. “Our sport is driven by those who lead through innovation,” Toto Wolff said in the official press release by Microsoft.
“We are delighted to partner with Microsoft, one of the world’s foremost technology leaders, whose name is synonymous with groundbreaking innovation," the Mercedes Team Principal continued.
Microsoft commercial business CEO, Judson Althoff, said, “This partnership puts Microsoft’s cloud and enterprise AI technologies at the heart of racing performance, where milliseconds matter, and data determines outcomes.”
“Together with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, we are harnessing data and turning it into real-time intelligence that powers faster decisions, smarter strategies and sustained competitive advantage — both on and off the track,” Althoff concluded.
Original Title & Article: Mercedes Reported To Announce $60 Million News on Thursday
Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team is set to announce a major sponsorship partnership with Microsoft at its 2026 Formula 1 car launch on Thursday, according to Sky News reporter Mark Kleinman.
The deal is worth approximately $60 million per year, making it one of the most significant commercial agreements for any F1 team.
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Microsoft will be revealed as a new partner when Mercedes unveils its W17 contender and team livery for the 2026 season, according to industry sources cited by Sky News. Neither Mercedes nor Microsoft has formally confirmed the details. Nonetheless, the reported figure reflects F1’s continued appeal to global tech giants seeking premium global exposure.
If accurate, the partnership would sit alongside Mercedes’ existing commercial portfolio, which already includes major sponsors such as PepsiCo, and would follow other high-profile tech tie-ups across the grid. Companies like Google have established similar technology collaborations, such as with reigning world champions McLaren.
Mercedes Eyes Broader Commercial Growth
The announcement comes amid a period of broader commercial growth for Mercedes. Team principal and CEO Toto Wolff recently sold a 15% stake in his Mercedes holding, equating to roughly 5% of the F1 team, to George Kurtz, the CEO of cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, a transaction that reportedly valued the team at more than £4.6 billion (roughly $6 billion).
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Mercedes has not won a constructors’ championship since 2021, but the boost in commercial backing underscores its off-track strength as it seeks to climb back up the standings. The team will continue to field George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in 2026, with the launch event on Thursday expected to include both drivers alongside senior technical leadership.
A Microsoft deal of this magnitude would not only enhance Mercedes’ commercial standing but also reflect the wider trend of technology firms placing big bets on Formula 1’s global platform as the sport continues to expand its audience and digital engagement worldwide.