Trackhouse MotoGP team could turn down Max Verstappen for one clear reason after he made takeover offer

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Max Verstappen is interested in buying a MotoGP team, with reports at the Catalan Grand Prix stating that the four-time F1 champion has begun speaking to potential outfits.

It comes as new owners, Liberty Media, are projected to dramatically increase MotoGP teams’ revenues. With the squads currently valued at low prices, potential investors see now as the perfect time to get involved in the sport.

Guenther Steiner will take over Tech3 in 2026 from Herve Poncharal, completing the deal at the Catalan Grand Prix, where Enea Bastianini scored the team their first podium in 2025. Red Bull driver Verstappen is now the latest F1 figure to express an interest in buying a team.

He is not the only F1 champion to pursue a deal for a MotoGP squad. Lewis Hamilton had held talks with Gresini over a potential deal, as well as KTM, but the Austrian manufacturer have found new ownership after insolvency proceedings.

Verstappen has spoken to Valentino Rossi as reports emerged that he has been talking to every satellite team on the grid. LCR and Trackhouse have been the two teams commonly mentioned as options for the Dutchman as he enquires about purchasing a 100% stake.

Trackhouse could reject Max Verstappen as owner Justin Marks is ‘determined’ to continue their MotoGP project

When it comes to the six satellite teams in MotoGP, Verstappen can already begin to cross off options. Naturally, Tech3 is out of the question, while Pramac is also considered unlikely.

It is hard to imagine Rossi selling his VR46 team, which leaves LCR, Trackhouse and Gresini. A report from Mundo Deportivo has stated that Verstappen’s entourage ‘have contacted Honda and Aprilia‘ over potentially buying 100% of the shares in their satellite teams.

A deal for LCR would make sense with the connections to Honda, who supplied Verstappen’s engines for his four F1 titles. However, the report states that owner Lucio Cecchinello is ‘unlikely’ to sell 100% of the team, but it would be a ‘different matter’ if he came on board as a minority investor.

Trackhouse is also likely to reject Verstappen’s proposal. The team, who also compete in NASCAR, arrived in MotoGP just last year, and owner Justin Marks is ‘determined’ to continue the project with Aprilia.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Trackhouse including the MotoGP team’s riders

Dorna would prefer to bring in BMW to MotoGP over Max Verstappen investment

MotoGP team bosses are ‘worried’ about Dorna’s plans as the promoter has been enquiring about whether they would be prepared to sell up. But most see the potential under Liberty Media for their revenues to skyrocket.

A report from Auto Motor und Sport reiterates that ‘neither LCR nor Trackhouse want to sell their teams’ amid Verstappen’s interest. It appears that Dorna and Liberty have their sights on another entry.

It is reported that MotoGP’s owners would ‘prefer’ to hand a 12th spot on the grid to another manufacturer, with BMW being mentioned.

The German giants have expressed an interest in joining MotoGP, having enjoyed great success in World Superbikes. BMW were linked with buying KTM amid their desperate financial situation, but those reports were quickly shut down in Austria.