Mercedes chief Toto Wolff reveals he has held talks with prospective Man United stake holder Sir Jim Ratcliffe over joining the British billionaire’s bid
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to purchase a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United
- Toto Wolff bought a stake a stake in Williams before leaving to lead Mercedes
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Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has revealed he is talking to Sir Jim Ratcliffe about investing in Manchester United.
The Austrian also suggested that Lewis Hamilton could be interested in exploring openings in the ‘sports field’.
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 £3.1billion.
Wolff, an investor by trade, with a personal wealth estimated at £1.3bn, is now monitoring Ratcliffe’s £1.35bn acquisition of 25 per cent United shares, which is expected to go through later this month.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix, Wolff said: ‘Jim has shared the trajectory with me.
Toto Wolff revealed that has spoken with Sir Jim Ratcliffe about joining his bid for Manchester United
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
Wolff (right) admitted that he holds a strong personal relationship with Ratcliffe (left)
‘I 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.’
‘I have never aimed for trophy investments but I like the competitiveness of the Premier League.
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.
‘If felt I could contribute then I would consider joining him at Manchester United.’
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.
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’s failed buyout of Chelsea last year.
Hamilton, who is worth £300million, was prepared to invest £10m in the project.
Lewis Hamilton has recently signed a new two-year deal at Mercedes worth £100million
Wolff said: ‘I 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.
‘Driving is the main priority, but whenever we call it a day, it will not be the end of our personal and business relationship.
‘We can look at expanding our activities on investments in the sports field, and doing that together.
‘I 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.’
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