F1 star Max Verstappen tipped to buy MotoGP team
Formula One superstar Max Verstappen has been linked with buying a MotoGP team.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is the latest high-profile F1 star to be linked with owning a MotoGP team, with rumours surfacing over the weekend.
The four-time F1 driver, who ended McLaren’s winning streak at Monza, Italy, thanks to a dominant victory ahead of Lando Norris, is rumoured to be interested in acquiring full ownership of either Honda or Aprilia’s satellite teams.
Said teams include LCR Honda and Trackhouse Aprilia, however, it’s believed that neither Lucio Cecchinello (LCR), nor Justin Marks (Trackhouse) are willing to sell their teams, at this stage.
Verstappen’s rumoured interest makes him the latest current F1 star to be knocking at the MotoGP team ownership door, after Lewis Hamilton was heavily linked with the Gresini Ducati team in 2024.
Quotes from over the Catalunya Grand Prix weekend, from SkySport.It, said:
“Max Verstappen, through his entourage and his father Jos, is reportedly knocking on the doors of Honda and Aprilia to indirectly gauge the willingness of their respective satellite teams, LCR and Trackhouse, to sell 100 per cent of their shares.
“It doesn't look like Max's dream will come true anytime soon, and the Red Bull driver will have to wait for someone to grant him a ‘license’ [for a place] on the grid.”
Sky also estimates that owning a MotoGP team could cost in the region of €25-30 million (roughly £21.6-26 million). A significant sum that may be to you and me, although with Verstappen’s Red Bull contract reported to be worth nearly $300 million, it’s less of a big deal for the Dutchman.
It’s not just drivers that have been linked with owning MotoGP teams, as former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner was linked with the acquisition of Tech3 KTM for months, before he officially confirmed the move last week.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
