Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are reportedly competing to acquire a MotoGP team for the 2026 season, marking a significant crossover between Formula 1 and motorcycle racing. This development follows the official acquisition of the Tech3 MotoGP team by the Ikon Capital consortium, confirmed during last Friday’s Catalan Grand Prix.
Tech3 Ownership Changes Hands Ahead of 2026 Season
The sale of Tech3 involved former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner, who will transition into the role of CEO for the motorcycle racing team. French co-founders Herve Poncharal and engineer Guy Coulon will step down as part of the transfer, handing over management responsibilities to Steiner and the new owners. Following their visit to KTM’s headquarters, Steiner and Poncharal went to Bormes-les-Mimosas, where the French outfit is based, allowing Steiner to familiarize himself with the team and manufacturer prior to his official start.
I’m happy in the sense that I managed to beat the other rivals in this race,
Steiner said.
This discipline is growing and Liberty’s arrival is a very important addition. They want this to work and they are going to invest to make it happen, because they already have the experience of the expansion they pushed in F1. It’s a good time to invest here, and yes, there are others interested in doing so.
—Guenther Steiner, CEO
Hamilton and Verstappen Lead Interest in MotoGP Team Purchases
Motorsport sources confirm that Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are the primary contenders looking to purchase a MotoGP team. Hamilton’s passion for motorcycles has been long established; during his years with Mercedes, he would frequently ride superbikes alongside race engineer Peter Bonnington and other team members at closed circuits. The sport’s potential growth, accelerated by Liberty Media’s involvement, appears to be attracting multiple high-profile investors.
Verstappen, meanwhile, remains cautiously represented by his manager Raymond Vermeulen, who emphasizes the Dutch driver’s enthusiasm for motorsports generally, including his involvement in GT3 racing through his Verstappen.com team. Although Vermeulen confirms Verstappen’s interest in MotoGP, he downplays immediate plans to buy a team, citing the need for all conditions to align perfectly before making such a move.
Max is a big racing enthusiast in general. He is very involved in the GT3 division with his Verstappen.com team. It’s no secret that he is also interested in MotoGP, but thinking about buying a team is not a realistic goal at this moment. Everything would have to fall into place perfectly, and the chances of that happening imminently are minimal,
said Vermeulen. —Raymond Vermeulen, Manager
Available Teams and Market Dynamics for Potential Buyers
With Tech3 off the table following its acquisition by Ikon Capital, and all five factory teams—Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia—not for sale, the available options for purchase are limited to independent outfits. Pramac appears unlikely given its established partnership with Yamaha and Paolo Campinoti’s structure.
Sources reveal that discussions have occurred between Verstappen’s representatives and the LCR team, but their efforts likely extend toward other private teams. A team director confirmed that
“both Hamilton’s people and Verstappen’s people have contacted all the private teams to express interest in buying them.”
This broad outreach underlines the seriousness of both buyers in securing a foothold within MotoGP.
Lewis Hamilton’s Longstanding Ambition in MotoGP
Hamilton’s interest in entering MotoGP predates current reports, with speculation emerging last year around a possible acquisition of the Gresini team. However, owner Nadia Padovani was unwilling to negotiate with Hamilton’s representatives or Andrew Fox, an Australian transport company owner who also controls the Phillip Island circuit. As a result, Hamilton’s agent Mark Hynes has pursued alternate entry points by initiating conversations with at least three other private teams.
I’m interested in MotoGP’s potential growth, but I haven’t analysed it in depth yet. Although anything is possible. But yes, I’m certainly interested in being part of it. The Broncos [in NFL] were my first step in that direction,
Hamilton stated last year when discussing his aspirations. —Lewis Hamilton, Driver
Hamilton’s pursuit of a MotoGP team acquisition is reportedly supported by TWG Motorsports, a group owning the Cadillac team set to debut in Formula 1 in 2025.
Significance of the Rivalry and Potential Impact on MotoGP
The entry of Formula 1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen into the MotoGP ownership race reflects the sport’s growing commercial appeal and increasing cross-discipline interest. Liberty Media’s arrival and investment plans have created fresh momentum, encouraging high-profile investors and former racing rivals to consider new ventures within motorcycle racing.
If either Hamilton or Verstappen succeeds in acquiring a team, it could accelerate MotoGP’s global visibility and foster new partnerships between the world’s premier motor racing disciplines. As 2026 approaches, the ongoing negotiations and strategic movements among private teams are poised to reshape the competitive and business landscape of MotoGP.
