Arsenal supporter Hamilton defends his investment in Chelsea takeover bid
Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton has confirmed his investment in a takeover bid for Chelsea.
Hamilton joined a consortium of investors, which includes Tennis legend Serena Williams, to raise a bid to buy the Premier League club from sanctioned Russian businessman Roman Abramovich.
The seven-time world champion in motor racing disclosed his business move before participating at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday.
“Ultimately, I’m a sporting fan. It’s the biggest sport in the world and Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world and one of the most successful,” Hamilton said.
“When I heard about this opportunity I was like, ‘Wow’, this is one of the greatest opportunities to be a part of something. I’ve been a football fan since I was a kid, I’ve played since I was a kid, from four to 17 in teams every year, I played every year through childhood, I’ve been to numerous games.”
Hamilton then revealed how his sibling forced him to become an Arsenal supporter at a tender age.
“When I was young, around the corner from where I lived, I used to play football with all the kids and a couple of my close friends at the time, and I really wanted to fit in. I was the only kid of colour there,” he said.
“All the kids supported someone different – one was Tottenham, one was Man United and I remember switching between these teams when I was younger and when I’d get home my sister punching me several times in the arm, and saying, ‘you have to support Arsenal.’
“So I remember at five, six years old I then became a supporter of Arsenal but my uncle Terry is a big Blues fan, so I’ve been to so many games with him to watch Arsenal and Chelsea play.”
