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.
The 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.
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“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.
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“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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
