Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton expands on Chelsea co-ownership prospects and reassures supporters he’s an Arsenal fan

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed his role in a takeover bid for Chelsea and says he is first and foremost a “sports fan”, despite his Arsenal allegiance.

It is understood the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has joined tennis great Serena Williams in pumping £10m apiece into Sir Martin Broughton’s bid for the club.

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Only three bidders remain in the race to buy the Blues from Roman Abramovich, with Broughton’s consortium being the only British group left in the race.

But despite the competition, Hamilton confirmed “he was keen” on buying the west London club when speaking ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday.

“I do it [fancy it], absolutely, yes. Hamilton started.

“I have been a football fan since I was a child. I played football probably from the age of four until I was 17.

“I was in teams every year, I played in the school team every year during my childhood, I attended many games.”

Since his interest became known, even F1 rival Max Verstappen has questioned Hamilton’s desire to buy the club, given his close ties to Arsenal.

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And before anyone could let him know of their interest in buying his team’s London rivals, the Mercedes driver broached the matter.

He added: “When I was young, around the corner from my house, I played football with all the children… I really wanted to fit in. I was the only colored kid there.

“But I know the kids have all supported someone different. One was Tottenham, the other was Manchester United.

“I remember going from team to team when I was younger, and coming home and my sister punched me in the arm several times, basically beating me up and saying ‘You have to support Arsenal’.

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But despite his support for the north Londoners from a young age, Hamilton made sure to reassure Chelsea fans listening that he considers himself a “sports fan” above all else.

“I remember when I was five or six I became an Arsenal fan, but my uncle Terry is a big Blues fan and I went to so many games with him to see Arsenal and Chelsea play.

“And me, I’m a sports fan, it’s [football] is the biggest sport in the world, and Chelsea are one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the world.

“And when I heard about this opportunity, I was like ‘wow’. This is one of the greatest opportunities to be part of something so big.

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