Lewis Hamilton is reportedly engaged in discussions with Gresini Racing regarding the potential purchase of the satellite Ducati MotoGP squad.
This intriguing development, initially reported by The Race’s sources at the start of the Dutch TT weekend in Assen, has since been confirmed by multiple individuals familiar with the team’s operations.
In a notable twist, a member of Hamilton’s inner circle was reportedly present with Gresini at Assen last weekend, indicating their intent to explore the commercial feasibility of taking over the team.
This endeavor comes at a pivotal moment in MotoGP’s history, as the sport is currently in the process of being acquired by Liberty Media, the owner of F1.
Should Hamilton, who boasts a personal motorcycle collection and is an ardent MotoGP fan, become significantly involved in this two-wheeled venture, it could serve as a compelling “crossover episode” to entice some of F1’s vast fanbase to embrace MotoGP.
From a financial perspective, this potential deal would offer Hamilton the opportunity to acquire a significant asset with minimal risk.
Several of his personal and current Mercedes team sponsors are already involved in MotoGP, making them likely candidates to support his new venture.
Notable names such as Petronas and Monster Energy, given their own MotoGP histories, could readily be persuaded to back Hamilton’s endeavours.
Gresini Racing holds a storied legacy in MotoGP, dating back to the mid-1990s. The team has achieved notable success, nurturing talents like Daijiro Kato, Toni Elias, and Jorge Martin to titles in the lower classes.
Over the years, esteemed riders such as Sete Gibernau, Marco Melandri, and the late Marco Simoncelli have vied for MotoGP championships and claimed race victories under the Gresini banner.
After a period as the factory Aprilia squad, Gresini returned to independent status in 2022, utilising satellite Ducati machinery.
Since then, the team has excelled, securing overall and sprint race wins with Enea Bastianini, Fabio Di Giannantonio, and Alex Marquez.
Moreover, Gresini recently made waves in the MotoGP community by signing the six-time MotoGP world champion, Marc Marquez, from Honda for the 2024 season.
