Mercedes Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has reportedly joined a group of investors interested in acquiring the Chelsea Football Club from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Abramovich‘s ties to Vladimir Putin exposed and the Chelsea owner became the subject of sanctions from the British Government with his financial assets in the UK frozen.
Hamilton, who is a seven-time F1 world champion, will commit £10 million, with his close friend and tennis superstar Serena Williams also committing the same amount according to a report from Sky Sports.
The pair will be a part of a larger consortium of investors led by Sir Martin Broughton, the former Liverpool and British Airways chairman. The strategic addition of Hamilton and Williams should bolster the bid as the pair are widely regarded as shrewd investors having broadened their reach into a variety of fields including fashion and entertainment.
Hamilton is also a self-professed football fan, and this investment will mark his first foray into the world of professional football, having previously made inroads into the fashion industry with his collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger and his part ownership of the W Magazine publication.
The British driver has so far had a tough start to his 2022 Formula 1 campaign that sees him currently sit in fifth place in the Driver Standings, 43 points behind championship leader Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
