Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are exploring the possibility of investing in MotoGP teams, driven by recent changes in the sport’s commercial landscape. This interest has emerged amid Liberty Media’s acquisition of a majority stake in Dorna Sports, the company controlling MotoGP’s commercial rights, sparking enthusiasm among Formula 1 figures to establish a presence in the motorcycle racing world.
The initial move by Guenther Steiner, who heads a consortium venturing into MotoGP, appears to have opened doors for others in the F1 paddock. Both Hamilton and Verstappen have engaged in discussions with independent MotoGP teams as they evaluate potential stakes, seeing opportunities similar to the growth F1 experienced following Liberty Media’s involvement.
Insight into Verstappen and Hamilton’s Interest in MotoGP Ownership
Verstappen’s management team acknowledges his passion for motorsport broadly, including his active participation in GT3 racing through the Verstappen.com team. While the idea of buying a MotoGP team intrigues him, his manager Raymond Vermeulen explains that such a move is not currently realistic due to the complex conditions required for a smooth acquisition.
“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.”
—Raymond Vermeulen, Max Verstappen’s Manager
Additionally, an insider from a MotoGP team confirmed that representatives for both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have proactively reached out to privately owned squads to explore potential purchases.
“Both Hamilton’s people and Verstappen’s people have contacted all the private teams to express interest in buying them.”
Recap of Lewis Hamilton’s Previous MotoGP Acquisition Attempt
Lewis Hamilton’s involvement in MotoGP team ownership is not entirely new. He was reported to be in negotiations for acquiring Gresini Racing, a well-established MotoGP outfit, though the parties could not align on terms, causing the deal to fall through.
Hamilton has publicly expressed his optimism about the sport’s development and his ambitions in motorsports ownership. In 2024, he mentioned his ongoing interest in investing further, referencing an initial step he took with the Broncos team, suggesting that expansion in this area could happen over the next decade.
“I’m interested in the potential growth of the sport, but I haven’t looked that far into it just yet. But anything is possible. I’m definitely interested, as I said before, about equity and the Broncos was already a first step into team ownership. And so, I think over the next five to ten years there will be a little bit more. We’ll see.”
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 World Champion
Max Verstappen’s Engagement in Other Racing Formats
While evaluating his future in team ownership within MotoGP, Max Verstappen also continues to compete actively in other motorsport disciplines. Later this month, Verstappen is scheduled to race at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife as part of the Nürburgring Endurance Series, highlighting his dedication to diverse racing challenges.
Potential Impact on MotoGP’s Future Landscape
The growing involvement of prominent Formula 1 personalities like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in MotoGP could signal a new era of investment and cross-series collaboration within motorsport. Given Liberty Media’s stewardship and their success in elevating F1’s global profile, similar advances may be on the horizon for MotoGP. This could lead to increased resources, enhanced competition, and broader international appeal, though any significant changes will depend on how opportunities unfold in the near term.
