{"id":292979,"date":"2023-11-03T17:24:41","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T17:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=292979"},"modified":"2023-11-03T17:24:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T17:24:41","slug":"wolff-reveals-he-has-held-talks-with-ratcliffe-over-man-united-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/racing\/f1\/wolff-reveals-he-has-held-talks-with-ratcliffe-over-man-united-bid\/","title":{"rendered":"Wolff reveals he has held talks with Ratcliffe over Man United bid"},"content":{"rendered":"
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has revealed he is talking to Sir Jim Ratcliffe about investing in Manchester United.<\/p>\n
The Austrian also suggested that Lewis Hamilton could be interested in exploring openings in the \u2018sports field\u2019.<\/p>\n
Wolff and his fellow billionaire, Ratcliffe, are already in partnership at Mercedes. Each holds a one-third stake, alongside the Stuttgart-based Mercedes car company based. The former world champion team is valued at \u00a33.1billion.<\/p>\n
Wolff, an investor by trade, with a personal wealth estimated at \u00a31.3bn, is now monitoring Ratcliffe\u2019s \u00a31.35bn acquisition of 25 per cent United shares, which is expected to go through later this month.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of Sunday\u2019s Brazilian Grand Prix, Wolff said: \u2018Jim has shared the trajectory with me.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Toto Wolff revealed that has spoken with Sir Jim Ratcliffe about joining his bid for Manchester United<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
British billionaire Ratcliffe is set to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the club which will likely see him take control of football operations<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wolff (right) admitted that he holds a strong personal relationship with Ratcliffe (left)<\/p>\n
\u2018I very much respect his values and we trust each other. If we felt it would make sense to be part of the investment group then I would certainly look at it.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I have never aimed for trophy investments but I like the competitiveness of the Premier League.<\/p>\n
Jim and Manchester United is a love story because he is born there. Our personal relationship is strong and with Ola Kallenius (Mercedes president), they call us the Three Amigos because we live in the no b******t world.<\/p>\n
\u2018If felt I could contribute then I would consider joining him at Manchester United.\u2019<\/p>\n
It is unclear what role, if any, 51-year-old Wolff would take. He is, however, unlikely to have any part in footballing matters, given his sporting experience is confined to motor racing.<\/p>\n
He also raised the possibility of a role for Hamilton in business ventures. The seven-time world champion is already part of a syndicate that owns the Denver Broncos and backed Sir Martin Broughton\u2019s failed buyout of Chelsea last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hamilton, who is worth \u00a3300million, was prepared to invest \u00a310m in the project.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton has recently signed a new two-year deal at Mercedes worth \u00a3100million<\/p>\n
Wolff said: \u2018I would consider Lewis to be in my very close circle of friends, and we are talking about career planning a lot. I would like to be part of his future.<\/p>\n
\u2018Driving is the main priority, but whenever we call it a day, it will not be the end of our personal and business relationship.<\/p>\n
\u2018We can look at expanding our activities on investments in the sports field, and doing that together.<\/p>\n
\u2018I have been doing this for 25 years and that is what I know. He is really smart from a business perspective so there is more to come.\u2019<\/p>\n