- Verstappen has reportedly approached Honda and Aprilia over satellite teams
- Lewis Hamilton believed to have offered less than €10m for Gresini Racing in 2024
Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has enquired about purchasing a MotoGP team, according to Sky Italia.
Through his entourage, the Dutchman has approached Honda and Aprilia around the availability of their respective satellite teams LCR and Trackhouse Racing.
Both deals look unlikely at present as both teams are firmly established in their current guises. Verstappen’s most likely route into the sport would be if a license for a new team is granted.
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It is unsurprising to see rising interest in MotoGP following Liberty Media’s acquisition of the global motorcycling series, given the company’s role in Formula One’s rapid surge in popularity. Even achieving half of that success for MotoGP would deliver substantial financial returns for early investors.
Former Haas Formula One team boss Günther Steiner has already purchased the Tech3 outfit in a deal reportedly worth just under €20 million (US$23.5 million). Sky Italia reports that the average MotoGP team is worth between €25 million (US$29.3 million) and €30 million (US$35.2 million).
Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton previously expressed an interest in MotoGP team ownership, going as far as to approach Gresini Racing with a bid of just under €10 million (US$11.7 million) in 2024, according to Sky Italia.
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