At the F1 season finale of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, an unexpected rumor spread in the paddock that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would be exploring the option of purchasing KTM’s MotoGP teams, adding Red Bull KTM Tech 3 and the prestigious Red Bull KTM. Factory Racing. This seemed credible, given the monetary difficulties that the orange logo is going through and the British rider’s interest in buying a MotoGP team.
A report confirms that KTM is grappling with significant financial difficulties, including liabilities totaling €1.8 billion and ongoing staff reductions. With production set to halt for two months in early 2025, speculation has grown that the company may require external investment to sustain its two MotoGP teams, which operate on an estimated annual budget of €40 million. Amid these challenges, rumors have surfaced suggesting Hamilton’s potential interest in stepping in as an investor.
Despite the financial difficulties faced by Pierer Mobility AG, KTM guarantees that its sporting activities will not be affected by the organizational restructuring. The company is confident with enthusiasts and interested parties that its MotoGP test team will continue with its scheduled track sessions as planned this month.
However, what appears to have fueled speculation is the 39-year-old F1 driver’s preference for purchasing a MotoGP team earlier this year, given his love for the sport and its expansion in recent years. He reportedly said:
“I’ve always loved MotoGP.
“I am interested in the possible expansion of the sport. But I haven’t investigated it further yet.
“But anything is possible. I am interested, as I said before, in justice. The Denver Broncos were already a first step toward team ownership.
“I think over the next five to ten years there will be a little bit more. We’ll see.”
Rumours that Hamilton would come to the rescue temporarily reached KTM bosses, who harshly ridiculed the reports. GasGas Factory Racing Tech3 KTM team principal told GPOne:
“These rumors are unfounded.
“There is a grain of reality in this. And I guess that applies to factory equipment too.
Another KTM source quoted said:
“Never in a million years.”
Reports that Hamilton had purchased a MotoGP team would have possibly accelerated after Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei admitted in September that Hamilton had expressed interest in purchasing a MotoGP team. This progression coincided with Liberty Media’s acquisition of MotoGP from Dorna, a transaction valued at $4. 2. billion. Said:
“When we announced [the acquisition of MotoGP], it was a wonderful example. People called us immediately and said, ‘I need to buy a team,’ adding other people like Lewis Hamilton.
“Why? Because they have realized what happened in Formula 1 and they have to follow it. The big distributors called us and said: “We have to get involved. ” And, unfortunately, I had to tell them that we cannot communicate about This is pending EU approval, but we will be happy to let you know once we get it.
“I think there’s an opportunity, when you’re at a league point, to take advantage of the adjustments you can make. When you’re at a team point, groups sometimes don’t make money either. Surely this is not true. Cash for NFL teams is pretty good, but in general, it’s very large multiples of money, and we’re still too classic when it comes to that money.
“But at the heart of it, your ability to update the dynamic, set the level and do the things you need to do is much better, less complicated and more manageable. It still takes time, but you can achieve it at the league level. In a way, it is very complicated at the team level.
This article first appeared on Motorsports on SI and was syndicated with permission.
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