11 months ago
81
TOTO WOLFF has revealed that he has held talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding potentially joining his Manchester United bid.
Ratcliffe, 71, is set to buy a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils.
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PAThe British billionaire will have significant say in sporting matters at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe already has a significant business relationship with Wolff, with the pair co-owning a stake in Mercedes alongside Ola Kallenius.
Wolff, 51, is in Sao Paulo ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Speaking to the PA News Agency, he said: “Jim has shared the trajectory with me.
“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.”
The Austrian then added: “Jim and Manchester United is a love story because he is born there.
“Our personal relationship is strong and with Ola Kallenius, they call us the Three Amigos because we live in the no bulls*** world.
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“If felt I could contribute then I would consider joining him at Manchester United.”
Wolff entered F1 ownership by purchasing a share in Williams in 2009.
He later left to become an executive with Mercedes in 2013.
The Silver Arrows subsequently won eight world championships in a row, with Lewis Hamilton claiming seven of them and Nico Rosberg the other.
As per Forbes, Wolff is worth around £1.3billion.
Earlier this year, Hamilton spoke about Ratcliffe’s interest in the Red Devils.
He said: “Jim’s part boss but partner – I’d say we’re more partners because we’re in this together and 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, so I can’t really say.
“I haven’t had a call from him asking if I want to be involved in [a United takeover bid] just yet, but I do want to get more and more involved in teams because I really do believe in black ownership – there is a lack of it in sports – and black equity. Again, there is a real lack of that.”
Golf star Rory McIlroy is also interested in potentially joining Ratcliffe’s bid.
He told Sky Sports last month: “Sports team ownership used to be limited to private equity, and people who had a ton of money. But now sports stars are becoming more savvy and using their money in the right way.
“I would love to be able to own a tiny percentage of the club I grew up cheering on as a boy.
“I would have loved to have taken 0.00001 per cent of Manchester United when Jim Ratcliffe took 25 per cent. And if another opportunity comes my way I will look at it. But it is not something that has come across our table as of yet.
“There is Tom Brady at Birmingham and there are a few golfers – Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas – who invested with the 49ers Group, and they own a tiny slice of Leeds. They asked me if I wanted to come on board, and I said as a Man United fan I cannot go anywhere near that!
“Sir Jim has got a great track record and everybody that does support United should be excited by the possibilities if they give him full sporting authority and decisions for the club. As a fan I am excited.”
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AFP
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