Lewis Hamilton joins Denver Broncos ownership group ahead of $4.65bn sale

Hamilton was part of Sir Martin Broughton’s failed bid to buy Chelsea earlier this year but is now dipping his toes into the NFL

Lewis Hamilton has joined forces with the Denver Broncos ownership group ahead of the Walton-Penner family’s $4.65bn takeover of the NFL franchise.

Seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton joined a consortium with Serena Williams back in April in an attempt to buy Chelsea FC as part of Sir Martin Broughton’s bid, but LA Dodgers owner Todd Boehly ultimately proved victorious.

Yet the 37-year-old racing driver, who regularly spends his winters at his home in the Colorado mountains, has joined forces with the Broncos’ new ownership group, with Walmart chairman Rob Walton saying Hamilton’s “resilient spirit and standard of excellence will be an asset”.

Hamilton will work alongside former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, who also joined the ownership group just over two weeks ago.

Hamilton tweeted: “Excited to join an incredible group of owners and become a part of the Broncos story!! Honoured to work with a world class team and serve as an example of the value of more diverse leadership across all sports.”

A statement on behalf of the Walton-Penner family ownership group read: “We’re delighted to welcome Seven-Time Formula One World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to our ownership group.

“He is a champion competitor who knows what it takes to lead a winning team and a fierce advocate for global equality, including in his own sport. With over 100 race wins, Lewis is considered the most successful F1 driver of all time.

“His resilient spirit and standard of excellence will be an asset to the ownership group and the Broncos organization.”

The Walton-Penner family are on the verge of completing their multi-billion dollar takeover of the 2015 NFL champions, which needs approval by the NFL owners when they meet in Minneapolis next Tuesday.

Condoleezza Rice was also added to the ownership group just over two weeks ago (Getty)

If the purchase is approved as expected, the deal would be the highest price ever for an American sports franchise.

Hamilton, who is focusing on off-track ventures amid the F1 summer break, could attend an NFL game in Denver around the festive period, following the conclusion of the Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi on 20 November.

F1 also returns to America with the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas on 23 October.

The Mercedes star is currently sixth in this season’s drivers’ standings but has been on the podium in the last five races, most recently finishing second at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.