Lewis Hamilton owner of a MotoGP team: "Always loved it!"
F1 News
It is no secret that Lewis Hamilton has a natural love for speed, whether they come in four or two wheels, for that matter. In fact, once linked to a potential purchase of the Ducati MotoGP satellite team, Gresini, the seven time world champion now appears to be interested in acquiring a stake in struggling KTM's racing team in the pinnacle of worldwide motorbike racing.
KTM is currently struggling financially. In fact, a European reestructuring procedure was started to try and save the company by giving them a chance to pay off their debt which had risen from 300 million to 1.5 billion euros in 2024, as per the source, Speedweek. With that process in motion the brand has set a target to pay off 30% of their debt ratio. According to the website there are investors waiting to provide 700 million to the brand in a capital increase process overseen by Citigroup Investment Bank.
The figures that are known regarding the costs of operating the MotoGP works team for the Austrian brand are around 40 million euros per year, a figure they have been able to meet due to substantial support form sponsors like Red Bull and Mobil 1 for the most part. The situation is so dire that KTM are even considering selling a portion of the racing team's ownership shares.
Will Hamilton buy into a MotoGP ownership?
The F1 seven time world champion is currently in talks with KTM, as some sources have told Speedweek that conversations between the parties have seen "interesting developments". Hamilton himself in the F1 season finale at Abu Dhabi spoke to Speedweek and explained his interest in series, which also came from a perspective of hoping to grant a more diverse outlook to the ownership landscape in world sports.
"In Formula 1, there is no diversity among the owners, it currently belongs only to white men. I would like to be a part of it. My first step was to be part of the Broncos (the Denver football team – the author), and that was amazing because there is real diversity in the owners. I've always loved MotoGP and I'm also interested in the potential growth of the sport."
Why it would make sense for Hamilton
With Liberty Media's purchase of the commercial rights of MotoGP, the bike racing series is set to experience a massive increase in value. Apart from that, a large number of Hamilton's personal sponsors are already involved in MotoGP which makes it feasible that they can also choose to support a team the F1 seven time world champion is linked to as an owner as well, something KTM would gladly welcome as well, as the brand has stated that its existence without motorsport is virtually inconceivable given their "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" approach to the business. Plus, Hamilton's marketable image could also provide a boost to the brand's sales, helping them reach their quota.
What does the MotoGP paddock think of Hamilton's interes?
Speaking to Speedweek, Ducati's Sporting Director said the following: "From a marketing point of view, such a step would be very interesting. When people from other worlds show interest in MotoGP, that's generally very good," while at the same time tempering the expectations with what is expected from a MotoGP investor and what their intentions ultimately are.
"An investor wants to be involved. It also depends on the reasons for which someone wants to buy a team. Whether this happens because someone wants to spend money, or whether an important sports program is the drive. If someone has a vision, it's great for our world," concluded the Italian.
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