Hamilton joins ownership group of NFL franchise Denver Broncos
Lewis Hamilton wearing orange top when arriving at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hungaroring July 2022.
Lewis Hamilton has joined the ownership group of Denver Broncos, he and the NFL franchise have announced.
The news was initially revealed in a statement from Rob Walton on behalf of the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group.
“We are delighted to welcome seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to our ownership group,” read the statement.
“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 organisation.”
“We're delighted to welcome Seven-Time Formula One World Champion Sir @LewisHamilton to our ownership group. He is a champion competitor who knows what it takes to lead a winning team.”
Statement from Rob Walton on behalf of the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group: pic.twitter.com/kl2z04lKyk
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 2, 2022
Hamilton later confirmed the news himself, saying he was “excited” by the prospect and tweeting a picture of his dog, Roscoe, wearing the Broncos colours.
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. Roscoe already thinks he made
the team 😂 #LetsRide 🐎🔥 pic.twitter.com/TSLQdPM8Hz— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) August 2, 2022
There was no indication of what stake Hamilton has taken in the Denver Broncos, who have won the Super Bowl three times – in 1997, 1998 and 2015.
Their most famous players are quarterbacks John Elway, who retired after the second Super Bowl success in 1998, and Peyton Manning, a record five-time NFL MVP.
Hamilton owns a property in Colorado, the state in which Denver is the capital, and spends much of the F1 off-season there at a time when the NFL is in progress.
A keen fan of other sports, earlier this year the Mercedes driver pledged financial support to one of the groups aiming to take over Chelsea Football Club due its enforced sale by Roman Abramovich.
However, that particular bid was unsuccessful and instead the London-based club were taken over by a consortium fronted by Todd Boehly, who is also a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
At the inaugural Miami Grand Prix in May, Hamilton took part in a promotional event playing golf with another legendary NFL quarterback, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
During a joint interview with Brady, Hamilton discussed the benefits of having a cohesive team – a factor he has always been eager to highlight during his time with Mercedes which has resulted in eighth consecutive Constructors’ championships.
“It’s just about that teamwork,” said Hamilton. “Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Everyone coming together, that’s the greatest journey you go on.”
In the 2021 campaign, Denver Broncos did not qualify for the post-season as they finished bottom of the four teams in the AFC West division with seven wins and 10 defeats.
Hamilton has finished on the podium in his last five races, achieving his best results of the season in France and Hungary most recently when runner-up to Max Verstappen.
