Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton joined the Gresini MotoGP team last year. And now a Moto2 team boss has given an insight into what happened during the negotiations.
Hamilton, who has won seven F1 world championships, has a passion for motorbikes. After investing in an NFL franchise, the Denver Broncos, and trying to buy stock in Chelsea Football Club, he diversified his portfolio by MotoGP group.
The competition Hamilton reported in the summer that he is talking to Gresini Beyond his control. Nadia Padovani, widow of Fausto’s founder, currently owns the group.
A member of the Hamilton camp was a guest at Assen’s Faenza outfit. The series could become more attractive than ever as F1’s commercial rights holders Liberty Media look to acquire MotoGP.
Gresini may not be a factory team, but they’ve had plenty of top-three finishes in the riders’ and teams’ championships. They have also signed six-time premiership player Marc Marquez for the 2024 season.
Gresini told Lewis Hamilton they wouldn’t even sell ‘too much money’ on the table.
Ultimately, the Gresini/Hamilton deal did not materialize. And speaking to journalist Manuel Pessino, MT Helmets – MSI owner Theo Martin gave some insight as to why.
Hamilton offered ‘a lot of money’, but Gresini refused to sell. Padovani seems intent on protecting the team rather than extracting more from the buyer.
Martin has seen the level of interest in MotoGP in recent times. Hamilton ‘came up on the rear’, but was yet to establish a firm position.
“Everybody wants to get into MotoGP now,” he said. “Hamilton is a little bit up the ladder. He offered Gresini a lot of money for the team and they told him they wouldn’t sell him. Now the press is saying KTM – I don’t know.
KTM has chosen the next step after Lewis Hamilton’s MotoGP investment talks
Hamilton has since looked elsewhere when looking to invest in MotoGP. KTM is his latest target.
The Austrian group is in a financial crisis with more than £2bn of debt. The company’s stock price has risen in recent weeks.
however, KTM has no doubts about reaching an agreement with Hamilton. This is because they need a wider predator than an investor, and a Ferrari driver lacks the necessary resources.
A journalist said. Hamilton may be eyeing KTM grid positions.. If they were to withdraw from MotoGP, he could be sold to another manufacturer.
