Marco Bezzecchi
Lewis Hamilton has made it no secret that he would be interested in branching into the world of MotoGP.
While a seven-time world champion on four wheels, the Brit is a keen admirer of motorcycle Grand Prix racing. Hamilton had a ‘devastating impact’ on Ducati’s 2025 bike launch as his Ferrari factory visit grabbed all the headlines.
But the 40-year-old has also been a name swiling around the MotoGP paddock. He has expressed an interest in owning a team on the grid.
Hamilton was heavily linked with KTM amid their desperate financial situation. The Austrian manufacturer were looking for investors to save them from insolvency, with around £3bn worth of debts.
However, Hamilton’s deal collapsed as KTM wanted investment in the company as a whole, not just their motorsport programme. Thankfully, the manufacturer have had a restructuring plan approved, securing their short-term future in MotoGP.
Before KTM, Hamilton had been in talks with satellite Ducati team Gresini – who at the time had Marc Marquez on board. But the Brit was also unsuccessful there.
Michael Laverty thinks Gresini would not sell to Lewis Hamilton as their value would go up until Liberty Media’s ownership
Gresini would not even take a huge offer from Hamilton to sell the team. The seven-time F1 champion had put ‘a lot of money’ on the table but it was turned down.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s On Track podcast, pundit Michael Laverty suspects the deal fell through because of Liberty Media’s proposed takeover of MotoGP. Gresini know that their value will skyrocket under their ownership.
While the Brit has had difficulty getting into the sport, Laverty thinks Hamilton should have a place in MotoGP: “Suzuki disappeared a few years ago, we used to have 24 on the grid,” he said.
“Those two grid spots should be given to a global icon like Lewis, in my opinion. And then he could get a factory involved, get the bikes, get the riders and that would help grow the audience.
“I think the likes of Liberty Media would engage in that for sure, but right now under the current rules with Dorna, with FIM, with the stakeholders, that would never happen.
“You can only be a manufacturer, you can only be a BMW and you could get those other two grid spots. You can’t be an independent as Lewis would be.
“But I think that would do wonders for the sport, I think that’s where it takes a little bit of creative thinking to grow a brand, to grow a global sport and to attract that audience.
“I know he did engage in talks with purchasing a current team like Gresini but they didn’t want to sell. They know the value could only increase under Liberty Media.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Gresini from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
When will Liberty Media’s deal to take over MotoGP go through?
Liberty agreed a deal to acquire 86% of Dorna Sports in April 2024. Worth up to £3.5bn, the agreement is subject to an investigation from the European Union.
The American company have had incredible success with F1, having exploded the sport’s popularity since taking over in 2017. Liberty want to replicate that success with MotoGP.
It was hoped the takeover would be wrapped up quickly and in time for the 2025 season. However, Dorna CCO Dan Rossomondo admitted the timeline was ‘very ambitious,’ with there being a lot more things to iron out behind the scenes.
Liberty are hopeful the deal will be complete by the early third quarter of 2025, at the very latest. If approved, MotoGP is certain to transform under the American company.
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