Mercedes chief reveals he has held talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe for Man Utd bid

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed he has spoken to Sir Jim Ratcliffe about joining his bid to purchase a stake in Manchester United.

Ratcliffe, is set to buy a 25 per cent shareholding in the Old Trafford club, with the deal expected to see the 71-year-old billionaire have a significant say in sporting matters.

Ineos founder Ratcliffe, along with Wolff, 51, and Ola Kallenius own a third of the Mercedes Formula One team. Mercedes team principal Wolff has overseen six of Lewis Hamilton's seven world championships.

Speaking to the PA news agency ahead of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Wolff, a close ally and business partner of Ratcliffe's, said: 'Jim has shared the trajectory with me.

'I very much respect his values and we trust each other. If we felt it would make sense to be part of the investment group then I would certainly look at it.'

Austrian Wolff bought a share in Williams in 2009 before leaving the British team to become an executive director of Mercedes four years later. He spearheaded the team's record of eight consecutive constructors' world championships between 2014 and 2021.

He added: 'I have never aimed for trophy investments but I like the competitiveness of the Premier League.

'Jim and Manchester United is a love story because he is born there. Our personal relationship is strong and with Ola Kallenius, they call us the Three Amigos because we live in the no b******* world.

'If felt I could contribute then I would consider joining him at Manchester United.'

Wolff also raised the prospect of going into business with Hamilton.

The seven-time world champion will continue with Mercedes until at least the end of 2025 after recently agreeing a new two-year deal worth £100million.

Wolff said: 'I would consider Lewis to be in my very close circle of friends and we are talking about career planning a lot. I would like to be part of his future.

'Driving is the main priority, but whenever we call it a day, it will not be the end of our personal and business relationship.

'We can look at expanding our activities on investments in the sports field and doing that together.

'I have been doing this for 25 years and that is what I know. He is really smart from a business perspective so there is more to come.'