Lewis Hamilton’s association with Sir Jim Ratcliffe stems from INEOS’ stake in the Mercedes Formula 1 team, and Hamilton also has a strong interest in football.
Lewis Hamilton has made it clear that he would be interested in being a part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s potential acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United. Ratcliffe is known for his ambitious plans and his passion for sports, making him an ideal candidate to revitalize the storied club. INEOS, Ratcliffe’s petrochemicals company, already has a significant presence in sports, including ownership of the OGC Nice and Lausanne-Sport football teams, and an investment in Formula 1.
Ratcliffe and Hamilton have become acquainted over the years, due to Ratcliffe’s stake in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, which Hamilton races for. Hamilton is already an investor in the Denver Broncos of the NFL, and has indicated that he would be interested in adding a stake in Manchester United to his business holdings, despite being a lifelong Arsenal fan.
“Jim’s part boss but partner – I’d say we’re more partners because we’re in this together and I hope in future to do something with Jim and build with him,” Lewis Hamilton said last year. “I don’t know where that will be or what that will be, so I can’t really say.
“I haven’t had a call from him asking if I want to be involved in [a United takeover bid] just yet, but I do want to get more and more involved in teams because I really do believe in black ownership – there is a lack of it in sports – and black equity. Again, there is a real lack of that.”
He included: “I am very close with Jim so I am aware of where he is at (with United). We talk a lot about football as he is very passionate about it. We have great discussions about what his team is doing, we talk about how Arsenal is playing.”
While Hamilton is an Arsenal fan, he has previously shown interest in investing in rival clubs, including Chelsea in April 2022. While the bid was ultimately unsuccessful, it shows Hamilton’s willingness to explore opportunities outside of his usual allegiances.
According to Forbes, Hamilton has earned approximately $65 million over the course of his career. He was rumored to be willing to invest up to £10 million in Chelsea in 2022, but his spokesperson denied this figure. Regardless of the actual amount, it is clear that Hamilton is a shrewd investor with a keen eye for opportunity.
INEOS is poised to make a significant impact on Manchester United, with or without Hamilton’s involvement. Ratcliffe has ordered an audit of the club, which will be conducted by Dave Brailsford. This signals a new era for the club, with INEOS’ influence set to be felt across all areas of the organization.
Richard Arnold’s departure from his role as United’s chief executive opens the door for Jean-Claude Blanc, who joined INEOS in 2022 and has experience with major European clubs. Blanc is considered the top candidate for the position once the deal with INEOS is finalized.
Ratcliffe’s arrival is likely to bring changes to the organization, with key positions such as football director, technical director, and director of football operations potentially up for grabs. Wolff, who knows Ratcliffe well, has shared insights into his approach to business, suggesting that he may bring a new level of professionalism and efficiency to the club.
“This is a no bull**** organisation. They are huge in terms of revenue and profit,” he stated. “Decisions are being made quickly – three bullet points on a page and ‘here we go’. With Jim all the bull**** is cut out. So I think wherever he gets his power, and his resource and character behind it, that’s going to be an add-on for any team.
He’s a Manchester boy. He has the resources that are needed, the heart is in the right place for this team and I’m sure he can be very creative for Manchester United. And for us he’s been a fantastic shareholder, good sounding board and sparring partner for myself.”
