Lewis Hamilton Explores MotoGP Team Ownership: Liberty Media Confirms Interest Following Series Takeover

Liberty Media has verified that Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion in Formula 1, is interested in purchasing a MotoGP team and is eager to participate in the motorcycle racing world.

Liberty Media's chief executive, Greg Maffei, mentioned that after the announcement of the company's acquisition of MotoGP, Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton inquired about purchasing a MotoGP team.

In April, Liberty, the entity that owns Formula 1, disclosed its agreement to acquire a controlling stake in MotoGP for €4.2 billion. This transaction is anticipated to finalize by the end of 2024, pending clearance from the European Union's competition regulatory authority.

In a statement released last month, Liberty revealed that it had disposed of Formula 1 shares valued at $825 million to facilitate the finalization of a purchase.

Following the announcement, Maffei reported in May that Liberty had garnered significant attention from manufacturers interested in participating in MotoGP.

Over the past few months, speculation has been rife that Hamilton, an avid MotoGP enthusiast, had intentions of acquiring the Gresini Racing team. However, he dismissed these claims, stating that he has not considered taking ownership of a team to that extent when questioned on the matter.

At the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference, Maffei revealed that Hamilton reached out to Liberty after hearing about its acquisition of MotoGP, expressing interest in owning a team.

"Maffei started by expressing his belief that MotoGP offers an incredibly thrilling experience."

Witnessing individuals maneuver motorcycles at speeds of 220mph, merely six inches apart, is astonishing. Moreover, the skill displayed in their passing maneuvers is truly remarkable.

"This product is thrilling. Regrettably, it remains largely unrecognized in the United States, though it has garnered attention in Asia and other regions."

"However, the core has primarily been Spain and Italy, with France involved to an extent. I believe there's a chance to broaden its scope."

He also mentioned, "Right after we made the announcement, we instantly received calls from individuals expressing their interest in purchasing a team, with notable figures such as Lewis Hamilton among them."

"They're motivated by the developments in Formula 1 and aim to emulate them."

"Several leading suppliers reached out to us expressing their interest in collaboration. However, I was in the position where I had to inform them that discussions couldn't proceed until we received clearance from the European Union. I assured them we'd be eager to engage once we have the approval."

Liberty aims to expand MotoGP's footprint in America

The common belief is that Liberty's initial strategy upon acquiring MotoGP will involve enhancing its visibility in the United States.

From 2008 to 2011, a period during which Formula 1 did not host any races in the United States, MotoGP held two races in the country. Furthermore, in 2013, it expanded its presence by organizing

Over the past few years, Liberty has successfully included three American events into the Formula 1 schedule.

Despite the storied achievements of American competitors at the pinnacle of MotoGP racing, enthusiasm for the series has diminished over time, leading to the US Grand Prix in Austin being among the less popular events in today's MotoGP schedule.

Liberty is confident that it can mimic its Formula 1 success in the United States with MotoGP.

Maffei explains, "Our approach with Formula 1 involved sharing narratives that went beyond the cars and the tech. We focused on humanizing the content by highlighting the drivers' experiences and the backstage activities. This way, we ensured that the global audience grasped the full scope of the events."

"Additionally, we've made significant enhancements to the television viewing experience, focusing on visual quality and clarity to ensure our audience has a deeper understanding of the narrative."

"Everything mentioned can receive support in this context. Honestly, it's about expanding within the US."

They host a single race in Austin, from which they earn comparatively modest incomes through television and similar sources.

"I believe there's a chance to enhance that aspect, possibly even introducing a second race in the US."

"These are chances that intrigue us in a manner reminiscent of Formula 1, and we're hopeful that we can successfully duplicate those in an appealing way."

Liberty's aspirations to capture the attention of the American audience have received several enhancements in recent seasons.

Initially, it boasts a leading grand prix competitor, Joe Roberts, participating in the Moto2 category, while the American-owned Trackhouse Racing team made its debut in the MotoGP series in 2024.

In 2023, Dan Rossomondo, who previously held a prominent position in the NBA, was appointed as the Chief Commercial Officer in a significant behind-the-scenes

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