Lewis Hamilton has denied Christian Horner’s claim that his representatives contacted Red Bull over a potential move earlier this year, saying it was Horner who reached out to him.
Hamilton’s future with Mercedes appeared uncertain until he signed a two-year contract extension in August, with the seven-time world champion failing to win a race since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
On Wednesday, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told the Daily Mail conversations had been held regarding the prospect of bringing Hamilton in alongside his long-time rival Max Verstappen.
Horner said Hamilton’s team “have reached out a few times”, adding that Ferrari were involved in more serious talks about signing Hamilton earlier this year.
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Hamilton, however, questioned Horner’s version of events while speaking to Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, saying: “I don’t really know where that story has come from.
“I mean, I know it’s come from Christian… I don’t really understand what he’s been talking about because no one, as far as I’m aware, from my team has spoken to him.
“I haven’t spoken to Christian really in years. However, he did reach out to me earlier on in the year about meeting up, but that’s it.
Take a bow, @LEWISHAMILTON. 👏 15 overtakes at the #LASVEGASGP! The most in a single race, this season. PIC.TWITTER.COM/XAYLVIO8MW
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) NOVEMBER 21, 2023
“I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said, ‘hopefully soon, I’ll be able to fight against you guys in the near future.’ That was it. I’m not really sure, I think he’s just stirring things.”
Horner said in the interview that he did not foresee a partnership between Hamilton and Verstappen – who has broken Hamilton’s dominance to win three straight drivers’ championships – working out.
Verstappen played down the chances of it occurring on Thursday, saying: “I don’t know because it’s not happening. There’s no point to making up stories: ‘if, if’. It’s not happening.”
Asked whether he would want to be Hamilton’s team-mate, the world champion said: “I wouldn’t mind. It doesn’t matter, anyone.
“I don’t want to put it particularly on Lewis. There are so many great drivers as well. Sometimes it doesn’t work out like that.”
