The Race Media Ltd, the company behind The Race, WTF1, Driver Database and WTF Talent, has been acquired by RAFA Media in a deal that will take the largest independent producer of motorsport podcasts and videos to the next level.
Founded in February 2020, The Race quickly established a reputation for high-quality, authentic motorsport content, and has grown to become a trusted source of content in paddocks across the motorsport world.
WTF1 was brought into the group in April 2020 and has established the largest and most engaged audience of new and young motorsport fans across social media.
Driver Database is an indispensable source of motorsport facts and stats and has the largest community of racing drivers in the world.
In 2023, WTF Talent was launched. It is the only influencer agency focused on motorsport. It now boasts a roster of over 50 creators across 13 countries and multiple languages.
The RAFA Family of Companies, founded by Rafael Martinez, stands for “Race As Family Always” and is a collective of businesses united by a passion for motorsports. The group includes RAFA Media, RAFA Racing Club, Grid Finder, Traxion, 8Twelve Wheels, 812 Brands, RAFA Racing Team, and RAFA Motors, all working together to share resources and enhance each other’s visibility within the motorsport’s community.
Guided by a mission to democratize access to motorsports, the RAFA Family of Companies is committed to telling captivating stories through high-quality content while making the sport more accessible to fans worldwide. Additionally, RAFA is dedicated to opening doors for underrepresented groups, including women and minorities, who have not traditionally had opportunities to be part of the motorsport industry.
Rafael Martinez, Founder of RAFA Family of Companies said: “At RAFA our mission has always been to democratize and grow motorsports, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. The acquisition of The Race Media is a pivotal step in this journey. By integrating innovative content and immersive experiences, we aim to inspire a new generation of motorsport enthusiasts and empower them with opportunities to engage in this thrilling world. Together, we will break down barriers and create a vibrant community where everyone can share in the passion and excitement of motorsports.”
The Race Media founder and CEO, Andrew van de Burgt said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for The Race Media. Rafael is a very impressive and ambitious person who is building something very special in motorsport. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to grow together and push on to maximise our potential. Formula 1 is in a tremendous growth period at the moment, in the US especially. Being a part of RAFA Media will allow us to ride this wave and expand into new territories.”
RAFA Media would also like to acknowledge the instrumental support provided during the acquisition. K3 Advantage played a key role from a financial and tax advisory perspective, ensuring a seamless transition throughout the deal. Additionally, Weightmans represented RAFA Media on all legal matters, bringing their extensive expertise to guide the legal framework of the acquisition process.
The Race Media
The Race
1.3m podcast listens per month
500k social media followers [X, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Facebook]
The Race Es
2m video views per month
The Race Br
1.1m video views per month
The Race Media Awards
The only Awards celebrating motorsport PR, comms and marketing
WTF1
4m social media followers [X, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Facebook]
WTF Talent
51 motorsport content creators, 10m combined followers
Driver Database
48,000 driver profiles
For more information about The Race Media, visit https://theracemedialtd.com
