Self-confessed Arsenal fan Sir Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he is interested in buying Chelsea. 

The Mercedes Formula 1 driver is set to join a group of investors interested in acquiring the west Londoners from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

Abramovich‘s links to Vladimir Putin were revealed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the UK government targeting the Blues owner with stiff sanctions which resulted with his financial assets being frozen in this country. 

Hamilton, who is a seven-time F1 world champion, is said to be offering £10 million to the group of potential suitors which includes his good friend and tennis superstar Serena Williams - who is also understood to be interested in investing the same amount.

In an inteview with Sky Sports on Friday, Hamilton confirmed he grew up an Arsenal supporter in Stevenage, but insisted he was now simply a 'sporting fan.'

"I played football from the age of four until I was 17," Hamilton said. "I was in teams every year. I played in school teams every year through my childhood. 

"I've been to numerous games. When I was young, around the corner from where I lived, I used to play football with all the kids and I really wanted to fit in. I was the only person of colour. I knew all the kids supported someone different. One was Tottenham. One was Man U.

"And I remember switching between these teams when I was youngere. I remember my sister beat me on the arm and said: 'You have to support Arsenal. At five, six years old, I then became a supporter of Arsenal.

"My uncle Terry is a big fan and I've been to so many games with him to watch Arsenal and Chelsea play. 

"I'm a sporting fan. [Football] is the biggest sport in the world and Chelsea is one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the world. 

"When I heard about this opportunity [to buy Chelsea] I just thought: 'Wow. This is one of the greatest opportunities to be part of something so great.'"

Hamilton and Williams will be a part of a wider consortium fronted by Sir Martin Broughton, the former Liverpool and British Airways chairman.

The addition of global sports stars Hamilton and Williams will add weight to the bid with the pair viewed as shrewd investors having increased their reach into a rafy of fields, including fashion and entertainment.

Hamiloton added: "We [Williams and he] did speak about it. We spoke multiple times about it. We are close so we're constantly in touch.

"She is a phenomenal athlete and woman. She asked me what my thoughts were about it and I said I'm going to be a part of it ands she was excited to join."