Carlyle, a major global private markets firm, has partnered with Red Bull Racing in Formula 1. According to Carlyle CEO Harvey Schwartz, the firm chose F1 due to its young and global audience, as well as its explosive growth with over 800 million fans.
Schwartz met with Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies in the summer of 2025, and the two formed a personal connection that contributed to the partnership. Mekies' leadership style, which focuses on building the right culture and environment for his team, also resonated with Schwartz.
The partnership is seen as a strategic move for both parties, with Carlyle seeking to attach itself to an extraordinary brand and Red Bull Racing looking to gain a competitive advantage. The deal is expected to bring benefits to both parties, with Schwartz stating that performance is the sole metric by which they judge themselves.
