That is the claim made by KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer, as the outfit battle to ensure their place on the MotoGP grid for 2025.
KTM, which has been on the MotoGP grid since 2017, is experiencing serious monetary turmoil of late with a reported debt of €3 billion, but could Lewis Hamilton emerge as a savior for the Red Bull-sponsored team?
According to Beirer, as KTM engage with potential sponsors and investors, “concrete discussions” have been held with seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, a known admirer of motorcycles and the racing scene.
“All I can say is that we’ve had a lot of conversations with his management,” Beirer told Speedweek.
“It is no secret that Lewis Hamilton is interested in MotoGP and is thinking about having his own team. There are concrete discussions here too.
“The current scenario makes us artistic and open to new discussions. We are not only open to sponsors, as until now, but also to investors. ”
However, if Hamilton were too involved as an investor or sponsor of KTM, he was warned that he would have to work alongside Red Bull.
Hamilton is well-accustomed to Red Bull via F1, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen having risen to end Hamilton’s dominance of the sport in 2021, that a year where tensions reached boiling point between Red Bull and Hamilton’s Mercedes team at the time.
“Anyone who wants to work with us knows the proximity: Red Bull and KTM are inseparable,” Beirer stressed. “This has been a challenge in the negotiations so far. “
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Relations between Formula 1 and MotoGP are set to go further, with F1 owners Liberty Media agreeing a deal worth €4. 2 billion to buy 86% of MotoGP’s stake from Dorna SportsArray.
However, the deal recently hit a major roadblock when the European Union introduced an in-depth investigation into its legislation related to monopolies.
In response, Liberty Media published a statement: “Liberty Media today obtained confirmation that the European Commission will launch a Phase II investigation into the previously announced MotoGP acquisition.
“We are confident that this transaction will benefit the MotoGP business, the fans, the public and the motorcycling industry as a whole. Market participants have widely identified the advantages of the transaction.
“There is a very giant and developing market for audiovisual entertainment, far beyond sport, and this transaction will allow MotoGP to compete in this highly competitive market.
“We will continue to work with the European Commission as its review progresses and have agreed with traders an extension of the extended closure date to June 30, 2025 to allow for further investigation.
“We believe that the European Commission will conclude that the transaction will have to be approved. “
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