Following Liberty Media’s acquisition of MotoGP from Dorna in July, plans for significant expansion akin to Formula One’s recent growth seem underway. Within this evolving landscape, two of F1’s most renowned drivers, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, are reportedly exploring opportunities to invest in MotoGP teams, highlighting growing cross-discipline interest in motorcycle racing.
Max Verstappen Considers Investment Though Conditions Must Align
Max Verstappen, the current F1 World Champion, has demonstrated a clear passion for sports investments through his collaboration with Red Bull on Verstappen.com Racing, which has found success in European endurance and rally competitions since its launch in 2022. His manager, Raymond Vermeulen, addressed the buzzing rumors related to a MotoGP team purchase, emphasizing that while Verstappen finds the idea appealing, no immediate plans are confirmed and any acquisition would require perfect circumstances.
“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, Verstappen’s manager
Though Verstappen himself has remained silent on the speculation, his interest in MotoGP indicates a potential long-term vision beyond Formula One.
Lewis Hamilton Opens Up About MotoGP Investment Aspirations
In contrast, Lewis Hamilton has publicly expressed his interest in MotoGP’s expanding commercial and competitive prospects. Speaking in 2024, Hamilton acknowledged his curiosity surrounding the sport’s growth potential and willingness to participate financially.
“I’m interested in MotoGP’s potential growth…I’m certainly interested in being part of it.” —Lewis Hamilton, F1 driver
Hamilton’s representatives, alongside Verstappen’s, have reportedly engaged with several MotoGP non-factory teams to explore investment possibilities. However, some outfits like Tech3 are already excluded from consideration due to recent ownership changes under former Haas principal Gunther Steiner.
Potential Teams for Investment Focus
With the major factory squads unlikely to offer entry points, more attention turns to customer teams. Tech3’s new acquisition rules them out, while Pramac Racing’s transition to a Yamaha customer team, coupled with close ties to principal Paolo Campinoti, also makes them a less probable target for outside investors.
Among possible candidates, Trackhouse Racing emerges as the most viable contender. Owned by Justin Marks, who also leads a successful NASCAR team, Trackhouse has been gaining momentum with multiple victories this season and is preparing to incorporate young talent Connor Zilisch for the upcoming campaign.
Marks has supported Zilisch since his teenage years, and Zilisch maintains connections with Red Bull, creating a network linking Marks, Zilisch, Red Bull, and potentially Verstappen. This nexus could facilitate Verstappen acquiring a stake in Trackhouse or rebranding the team under the Verstappen.com umbrella.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s agent, Mark Hynes, remains in early-stage talks with prospective teams but has not zeroed in on a particular target, suggesting his involvement is exploratory at this time.
Implications of F1 Drivers Entering MotoGP Investments
The prospect of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton investing in MotoGP teams underscores a broader trend of cross-disciplinary engagement among top motorsport figures. Their participation could attract fresh investment, broaden audience interest, and accelerate the commercial development of MotoGP under Liberty Media’s stewardship.
As motorsport continues to evolve globally, the involvement of such high-profile drivers beyond Formula One may open new pathways for collaboration and innovation, ultimately reshaping the landscape of motorcycle racing.
