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- Saudi F1 Stake; Abu Dhabi's $1B Fund Launch; Syria's Energy Talks
Saudi F1 Stake; Abu Dhabi's $1B Fund Launch; Syria's Energy Talks
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Friday, December 5, 2025
Happy Friday everyone!
The Gulf is making moves—and they're bold ones. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund quietly secured an 8% stake in Aston Martin F1, adding to the region's growing Formula 1 empire. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Capital is launching a $1 billion real estate platform with Aldar Properties, capitalizing on skyrocketing demand as billionaires and global investors flock to the UAE. And in a surprising development, war-torn Syria is sitting down with US oil giant Chevron to explore energy cooperation after years of conflict devastated its infrastructure. Three stories, one theme: the Middle East is rewriting the rules of global dealmaking.
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Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Quietly Takes 8% Stake In Aston Martin F1 Team
What’s it About?
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund owns roughly 8% of Aston Martin F1 through parent company AMR GP Holdings, according to UK registry documents, a Bloomberg report revealed. The investment was never publicly announced. This adds to the Gulf's growing F1 portfolio: Bahrain and Abu Dhabi fully control McLaren, while Qatar holds a significant stake in Sauber (becoming Audi). The Middle East now hosts four F1 races annually.
Why it Matters?
F1 valuations have exploded, with McLaren recently valued at £3 billion and Mercedes F1 hitting a record $6 billion. Traditional investors are being priced out, leaving only deep-pocketed sovereign wealth funds able to participate. Saudi Arabia's PIF is building a massive sports empire including LIV Golf, Newcastle United, and hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup as part of its economic diversification strategy.
What’s Next?
Saudi Arabia is constructing a "World of Performance" entertainment complex at Qiddiya in Riyadh, featuring an F1 track that may replace Jeddah as the Saudi Grand Prix host by 2027. The PIF previously considered acquiring all of Formula One for over $20 billion, signaling potential for even deeper involvement in the sport's future.
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Mubadala Capital is Partnering with Aldar Properties to Launch Aldar Capital, a Real-Assets Investment Platform
What’s it About?
Mubadala Capital, the asset management arm of Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Co., is partnering with Aldar Properties to launch Aldar Capital, a real-assets investment platform. The venture targets $1 billion for its first fund in 2025, potentially scaling to several billion dollars while investing across residential, office, logistics and other real assets.
Why it Matters?
This marks Mubadala Capital's first third-party fundraising in its home market, driven by surging demand for UAE exposure. Abu Dhabi apartment prices jumped 14% over the past year as billionaires, hedge funds and crypto executives flock to the emirate. Mubadala Capital now manages over $430 billion in assets following major deals including CI Financial's acquisition.
What’s Next?
Based in Abu Dhabi's financial center, Aldar Capital will launch with 20 staff and target regional and international institutional investors. The platform aims to transform Aldar from a regional developer into a global capital manager while capitalizing on Abu Dhabi's massive infrastructure investments in Disney theme parks, museums and data centers expected to create thousands of jobs.
Syria And US Oil Giant Chevron Explore Energy Cooperation
What’s it About?
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with delegations from US oil giant Chevron and the Syrian Petroleum Company to discuss cooperation in oil and gas exploration along Syrian shores. Qatar's UCC Holding also attended, having recently signed a $7 billion deal for power generation projects.
Why it Matters?
Syria's 14-year civil war devastated energy infrastructure, slashing natural gas production from 8.7 billion cubic metres in 2011 to just 3 bcm in 2023. The country now produces only a fraction of needed electricity, though supply improved recently with gas imports from Azerbaijan and Qatar.
What’s Next?
Damascus pledged to ramp up power supply as international companies show renewed interest in Syria's energy sector. The Chevron discussions signal potential foreign investment in offshore exploration, which could help Syria rebuild its energy independence and economic stability after years of conflict and infrastructure destruction.
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Saudi Startup CQR Launches AI-Powered FENNEC Platform for Critical Infrastructure Security
Savvy Games and King Saud University Partner to Boost Saudi Gaming Talent
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👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
🔍In other news…
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