Lewis Hamilton has expressed an interest in joining Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Manchester United as an investor after he completed his minority takeover.

The Ineos billionaire has seen his £1.25billion deal go through, further adding to his sports portfolio that already includes French side Nice. Ratcliffe is also a one-third owner in the Mercedes F1 team and, as a result, has got to know Hamilton on a personal level.

The seven-time world champion, who has signed a new two-year deal worth a reported £100m, has invested in NFL outfit Denver Broncos and, despite being an Arsenal fan, has shown a willingness to become an investor in the Manchester outfit when quizzed on it in the past.

Earlier this year 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,” said Hamilton last year. “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.”