Max Verstappen eyeing MotoGP team – manager cautious

Max Verstappen’s growing motorsport empire and ambitions could extend to MotoGP, with reports linking him to potential satellite team buyouts.

According to De Telegraaf and Sky Italia, the four-time world champion has been in touch with both Honda’s LCR outfit and Aprilia’s Trackhouse operation about a possible acquisition.

Verstappen, 27, has followed MotoGP since childhood and is already active in GT3 racing with his own Verstappen.com Racing program, De Telegraaf reported.

His manager Raymond Vermeulen confirmed the discussions but poured cold water on talk of an imminent deal. “It’s no secret that he’s interested in MotoGP,” Vermeulen said at Monza.

“Max is very passionate about both car and motorcycle racing, but taking over a team isn’t realistic at the moment. Everything has to be right. The chance of it happening anytime soon is minimal.”

The speculation follows Liberty Media’s takeover of MotoGP’s promoter earlier this year. And in parallel, ex-Haas boss Guenther Steiner has resurfaced as owner of the Tech3 KTM squad.

Steiner, who gained worldwide recognition via Netflix’s Drive to Survive, said he hopes to act as a bridge between the two championships while continuing media work in Formula 1.

“I can be a link between the two series,” he told Speed Week. “I know a lot of people there, I know both sides.” Trackhouse, one of the projects Verstappen has been connected with, is already run by Dutchman Wilco Zeelenberg.

Steiner’s own consortium reportedly paid over €20m for Tech3, although no figures have been attached yet to Verstappen’s potential MotoGP interest.