Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei has revealed that seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has shown interest in purchasing a team in MotoGP, Afrosport reports.
Liberty, who owns the Formula 1 Group, acquired 86% of the shares of Dorna Sports, worth $4.2 billion. The American media corporation now has the chance to revolutionise the pinnacle of motorcycle racing as it has with car racing since taking over F1 in 2016.
Liberty has overseen steady growth in F1 since its takeover from CVC Capital Partners eight years ago, prompting interest to replicate the same in the premier motorcycle racing class.
According to Maffei, Liberty’s move also prompted individuals like Mercedes driver Hamilton to declare their interest in purchasing teams in MotoGP.
“When we announced [the acquisition on MotoGP], it’s a great example, we had immediately people call up and say, ‘I want to buy a team’, including people like Lewis Hamilton,” he said as per Autosport.
“Why? Because they saw what had happened in Formula 1, and they want to follow.
“We had, major distributors call and say, ‘We want to be involved’. And unfortunately, I had to tell them we really can’t talk about [that] until we get EU approval, but we’d love to talk once we get it.
“I think there’s an opportunity when you’re at the league level to take advantage of those changes that you can make.
“When you’re at a team level, in general, teams don’t cash flow as well. Not absolutely true.
“NFL teams cash flow pretty well, but in general, it’s really big multiples of cash flow, and we’re still too traditional in wanting that cash flow.
“But in addition, your ability to change the dynamics, to set the stage and do the things that you want are far better, far easier, more manageable.
“Still takes time, but you can get it done at the league level. In a way, it’s very difficult at the team level.”
Hamilton has involvement in motorsport ownership with Team X44 which has competed in the Extreme E electric SUV off-road racing series since 2021. The 39-year-old is also part owner of NFL franchise Denver Broncos.
