Man Utd takeover: Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff 'considering' joining Sir Jim Ratcliffe bid

Updated: 3 Nov 2023 21:35 GMT
3 min read

Toto Wolff has spoken about Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking over at Man Utd — © ProShots

Toto Wolff has admitted that he “would consider” joining Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Manchester United if the British billionaire is successful with his offer to buy 25% of the club.

Ratcliffe is the CEO and founder of Ineos, who currently own Ligue 1 club OGC Nice, professional cycling team Ineos Grenadiers and one-third of Mercedes F1. He is now aiming to purchase 25% of Man Utd.

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Wolff, 51, and Mercedes-Benz also own one-third of Mercedes F1 Team each, and due to Wolff’s close relationship with Ratcliffe, he has been heavily linked with joining the attempt to buy Man Utd.

Ratcliffe’s bid to buy a 25% stake in Man Utd is yet to be completed, but if his efforts are successful then he will become a minority shareholder at Old Trafford and assume control of all football operations.

What has Wolff said?

Wolff has been asked about the possibility of joining Ratcliffe’s Man Utd bid and told the Press Association, as per BBC Sport: “Jim has shared the trajectory with me. I very much respect his values and we trust each other.

“I have never aimed for trophy investments but I like the competitiveness of the Premier League.

Toto Wolff responds to rumours that he could join Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Manchester United bid 💭 pic.twitter.com/cJWMMRiOxD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2023

“Jim and Manchester United is a love story because he was born there. Our personal relationship is strong and with Ola Kallenius [Mercedes-Benz chief executive], they call us the Three Amigos because we live in the no-nonsense world.

“If we felt I could contribute then I would consider joining him at Manchester United.”

The Mercedes F1 Team Principal and CEO did, however, add in an interview with Sky Sports that any possible investment was “very far away.”

Wolff is currently with the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace circuit, most commonly known as Interlagos, for this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Mercedes F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell qualified fifth and sixth for Sunday’s race, with three-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) on pole position.