Sir Lewis Hamilton responds to possibility of Manchester United takeover with Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Formula 1 star Sir Lewis Hamilton has been asked about the possibility of launching a joint takeover bid of Manchester United with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The seven-time F1 champion, who drives for Mercedes, was previously named as part of Sir Martin Broughton's consortium, who were keen on purchasing Chelsea earlier this year, despite the Briton previously declaring himself to be an Arsenal fan.

Tennis star Serena Williams was also set to join Hamilton in joining Broughton's consortium, with reports suggesting that the pair had pledged to invest £10m each after becoming established investors in recent years.

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However, a move to buy the London club failed to materialise, with a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital agreeing a deal to buy Chelsea in May.

Meanwhile, United's Glazer family owners have come under increased scrutiny in recent years, and United's supporters have been protesting against their ownership in recent weeks and months.

Ahead of the Grand Prix in the Netherlands on Sunday, Hamilton was asked whether he would be interested in being involved in a potential United takeover.

"It’s the first time I’ve heard of it, so I haven’t had time to catch up with Jim since I was in Namibia, which I need to do because he goes to Namibia quite often,” Hamilton 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 that (a United bid) just yet. But I do want to get more and more