Case Study

Justin Wilson plc: Financing a Formula One rising star (A)

17 pages
December 2003
Reference: IMD-1-0206

Despite great popular support and an exciting early career in car racing, Justin had been unable to secure sponsorship to pay for his Formula One career. Recently, the Minardi Formula One team had signed him on but Justin was required to bring a personal budget of $2.5 million with him to pay for his ride in the 16-race 2003 season. During the Australian Grand Prix, Justin unveiled an innovative scheme to let investors and racing fans buy shares in a company (Justin Wilson plc), set up with his manager Jonathan Palmer, as a way to raise the $2 million he still needed. Shares in Justin Wilson plc were offered to the public for £1 per share. Justin Wilson plc would have the rights to all future income from Justin’s Formula One career for a period of 10 years; once investors had doubled their initial investment and been paid out, they would receive 10% of that income. Was this an interesting security to own?

Keywords
Securitization, Public Offering, Formula One, Financing, Start-up, Car Racing, Financial Services
Settings
Justin Wilson, Automotive, Automobiles
May 2003
Type
Published Sources
Copyright
© 2003
Available Languages
English, Japanese
Related material
Teaching note
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