Lewis Hamilton is in “concrete discussions” to invest in KTM’s MotoGP team, as the Austrian manufacturer faces financial difficulties that could threaten its motorsport future.
KTM’s motorsport director Pit Beirer has confirmed talks with the seven-time Formula 1 champion’s management team about potential investment in the racing outfit.
The development comes as KTM’s parent company grapples with financial challenges that could force it to sell off or close its motorsport division as part of a self-administration process.
Despite these challenges, KTM remains publicly confident about maintaining its presence on the MotoGP grid through 2025.
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Reuters
“All I can say is that we have had very interesting discussions with his management,” Beirer told German publication Speedweek.
“It is no secret that Lewis Hamilton is interested in MotoGP and is thinking about having his own team. There are concrete discussions here too,” he added.
KTM has competed in MotoGP since 2017 and currently fields two teams in the championship and are backed by Red Bull.
Beirer explained that the company’s current situation has led them to explore new financial options: “The current situation is making us creative and open to new discussions.
“So we are not only open to sponsors, as has been the case so far, but also to investors.”
Liberty Media’s outgoing CEO Greg Maffei has confirmed Hamilton’s interest in acquiring a MotoGP team.
The confirmation came as Liberty Media progresses with its planned £3.5 billion acquisition of MotoGP and its feeder series.
“When we announced it, we had immediately people call up and say, ‘I want to buy a team’, including people like Lewis Hamilton,” Maffei revealed.
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He added: “Why? Because they saw what happened in Formula 1 and they want to follow.”
Maffei described MotoGP as “an unbelievably exciting product”, noting the spectacle of “people riding motorcycles at 220mph, six inches from each other.”
Hamilton’s potential MotoGP investment would add to his growing portfolio of sports ventures.
Lewis Hamilton has left Mercedes and join Ferrari next season
Reuters
The 39-year-old is already a part-owner of NFL team Denver Broncos, having joined their ownership group in 2022.
He also founded Team X44, which competes in the Extreme E racing series.
The British racing driver is set for significant changes in his Formula 1 career, with a move from Mercedes to Ferrari confirmed for the 2025 season.
Hamilton, who has a close friendship with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, will partner Charles Leclerc at the Italian team.