SEVEN times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, who recently invested in the Denver Broncos, said he wants to get more involved with teams to boost Black ownership and equity in sport.
Hamilton was asked at the Dutch Grand Prix on Thursday about reports British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, a co-owner of the Mercedes F1 team, wanted to buy English soccer giants Manchester United.
Ratcliffe, the head of chemical company INEOS, already owns French soccer club OGC Nice and the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team.
"I hope in future to do something with Jim and build with him. I don't know where that will be or what that will be," Hamilton told reporters in Zandvoort, adding they had not spoken about United.
"I do want to get more and more involved in teams because I really do believe in Black ownership, because there is a lack of it within sports, and Black equity. There is a real lack of that."
Both Hamilton and Ratcliffe were involved in failed bids this year for United's Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Hamilton was part of a consortium that included tennis great Serena Williams, who has a stake in the NFL's Miami Dolphins -- whose Hard Rock stadium this year hosted a Formula One race for the first time.
Hamilton, whose paternal grandparents came to Britain from the Caribbean, is the only Black driver in Formula One and is outspoken about racial issues and increasing diversity within the sport.
He was announced last month as having joined the ownership group of the National Football League's Broncos.
The 32 NFL clubs said last March they wanted to increase diversity among the ownership.
"With the Broncos, I really want to try and focus on what I can do in terms of D&I (diversity and inclusion) within the team and within the infrastructure and the surroundings in terms of the stadium and the homes that they end up building when you do eventually get a new stadium," said Hamilton.
"It's super exciting the potential that there is there."
In an interview with Vanity Fair magazine published last month Hamilton said he was becoming an entrepreneur with interests ranging from vegan restaurants to the music industry and fashion.
He referred to American businesswoman Mellody Hobson, the chair of Starbucks who is also a minority owner of the Denver Broncos, as his mentor and "one of the most inspiring women I've ever met in my life."
Reuters
Fri Sep 02 2022
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Dutch Grand Prix - Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands - September 1, 2022. - REUTERS
Hyundai to invest RM2.16 bil in Malaysia through strategic partnership with INOKOM
This investment includes efforts to upgrade INOKOM's existing assembly capacity to meet Hyundai's automotive needs.
‘C4Cinta’ sets record as highest-grossing Malaysian Tamil film
'C4Cinta', directed by young filmmaker Karthik Shamalan, has set a new benchmark in Malaysian Tamil cinema.
Man charged with mother's murder, storing body in freezer
The court denied bail and scheduled case mention on Feb 7 for the submission of forensic, autopsy, and chemist reports.
Abolition of examination in schools to reduce pressure on pupils - Fadhlina
The classroom assessment approach offers a much more interesting learning ecosystem, says Fadhlina Sidek.
Google, Meta urge Australia to delay bill on social media ban for children
Google and Meta says the government should wait for the results of an age-verification trial before going ahead.
Judge tosses Trump 2020 election case after prosecutors' request
It represents a big legal victory for Donald Trump, who won the Nov. 5 US election and is set to return to office on Jan. 20.
DHL plane crash in Lithuania leaves authorities searching for answers
Rescue services said the plane hit the ground, split into pieces and slid over 100 metres (110 yards).
National squad to hold friendly matches for 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup
The warm-up matches will involve matches against better ranked teams in the world, namely Austria (first) and Belgium (third).
G7 seeks unity on ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu
The United States, part of the G7, has rejected the ICC decision, with President Joe Biden describing it as outrageous.
Francissca Peter remembers Tan Sri Ahmad Nawab: A tribute to a musical legend
A legend who has influenced our music for decades, was one of the highlights of my career, says Francissca Peter.
TikTok decision coming soon as Jan. 19 divestment deadline looms
Judges are reviewing TikTok's challenge to a law requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by Jan. 19 or face a ban.
Lebanese sources: Biden, Macron set to announce Israel-Hezbollah truce
In Washington, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, "We're close" but "nothing is done until everything is done".
PM meets chaebol tycoon to attract more FDI to Malaysia
Chaebols are prominent figures from South Korea's family-owned conglomerates.
Govt won't allow non-citizen vehicles to enjoy RON95 subsidy - Economy Ministry
The implementation of the RON95 subsidy in 2025 is expected to provide savings of RM3.6 billion to government expenditure.
Ringgit opens lower as greenback gains ground
Dr Mohd Afzanizam says the market responded positively to news of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent heading the US Treasury Department.
Management of low-cost housing, gov't quarters, focus at Dewan Rakyat today
Also among the highlights, UNICEF report on 12.3pct of teenagers in Klang Valley's PPR face mental health issues and suicidal tendencies.
UN Resolution 1701, cornerstone of any Israel-Hezbollah truce
Here are the resolution's main terms, and a note about subsequent violations and tensions.
Record aid worker deaths in 2024 in 'era of impunity', UN says
So far this year there have been 281 aid worker victims, according to the Aid Worker Security database.
Why India's toxic farm fire counting method is disputed
Here's how India counts farm fires - a major contributor to severe pollution in the north - and why its method is being questioned.
Divisions on curbing plastic waste persist as UN treaty talks begin
South Korea is hosting the fifth and ostensibly final UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting this week.