Lewis Hamilton accused Christian Horner of “stirring the pot” following the Red Bull Formula One boss’s assertion {that a} consultant of the seven-time world champion approached him about becoming a member of Red Bull earlier than Hamilton signed a brand new contract with Mercedes.
Horner instructed the Daily Mail that there had been “several conversations over the years” about Hamilton becoming a member of the workforce, which is at present dominant with triple world champion Max Verstappen.
“They have reached out a few times. Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest,” stated the workforce boss.
Hamilton, whose contract to the top of 2025 was introduced in August, instructed reporters on the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Thursday that no one from his administration had spoken to Horner.
He stated Horner had messaged him, nonetheless, on an outdated cellphone he had left at residence.
“I switched it on, and obviously hundreds of messages came through, and I realized there was one from Christian to get together and have a chat at the end of the season,” he stated.
“I just replied to him on my new phone. It was after the weekend. It was quite late when I found the message. It was from earlier in the year. So, it was like months later.”
Hamilton additionally recommended some folks appreciated to drop his identify into dialog to get consideration in the event that they had been “a little bit lonely.”
“I think he’s just stirring things,” he instructed Sky Sports tv earlier. “You know, Christian. He loves that kind of stuff.”
Hamilton stated he can be “more than happy” to race Verstappen in an equal automobile, and any driver would like to drive “for such a great group of people,” nevertheless it was not his private dream.
“I think moving from a car that’s not so great to a winning car, from my perspective, is not a dream. The dream is always to start where we are and build up to winning. That’s why I’ve stayed with Mercedes,” he stated.
Mercedes gained eight constructors’ titles in a row from 2014 to 21 however had been combating Ferrari to be the perfect of the remaining this season. Verstappen have gained 18 of 21 races to date, and Red Bull has gained all however one.
Serious talks
Horner instructed the Daily Mail that Hamilton, who has not gained a race since 2021, additionally had talks with Ferrari Chairperson John Elkann earlier within the 12 months.
“I think there were serious talks. It was around Monaco (in May). There were definitely conversations, perhaps with (Ferrari team boss Fred) Vasseur, too. But certainly with Elkann,” he stated.
Hamilton, who has stated he sees himself at Mercedes “until my last days,” denied the Ferrari hypothesis on the time.
He additionally instructed reporters in May that his administration workforce had been dealing with contract talks.
It is just not uncommon for a driver’s consultant to analyze different potentialities on the time of contract negotiations.
Verstappen, requested in an FIA press convention whether or not he would have welcomed Hamilton as his teammate, noticed little level in fueling the dialogue.
“There’s no point in making up stories ‘if, if.’ It’s not happening,” stated the Dutch 26-year-old. “I wouldn’t mind; it doesn’t matter.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com