Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton approached Red Bull about the possibility of joining the team before committing his future to his current employers, team principal Christian Horner has sensationally claimed. The Briton has won six of his seven world titles with the Silver Arrows after spending a decade there, but Horner has revealed he held discussions with Hamilton’s camp after being alerted to his potential availability.
Hamilton signed a new two-year contract with Mercedes along with his team-mate George Russell to take them to the end of the 2025 season after protracted negotiations with boss Toto Wolff.
Speculation was rife that the 38-year-old had opened talks with Ferrari and Red Bull to weigh up his options, although the Italian manufacturer and Hamilton both denied those claims. But Horner has stirred the pot again by revealing that he did hold conversations with the seven-time world champion.
“We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining,” Horner told the Daily Mail. “They have reached out a few times. Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news.
READ MORE Max Verstappen hints at divide with fellow F1 drivers after Lewis Hamilton dig[LATEST]
“But I can’t see Max [Verstappen] and Lewis working out together. The dynamic wouldn’t be right. We are 100 per cent happy with what we have.”
Horner has confirmed that 2023 champion Max Verstappen will be partnered by Sergio Perez for the 2024 season, but the Mexican’s future looks uncertain beyond the expiry of his current deal. Along with Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris are the other names to be linked with the seat.
His revelation is likely to anger his counterpart Wolff, with whom he shares a competitive rivalry. It may also provoke a response from Ferrari, whose team principal Fred Vasseur insisted that Hamilton had not been in talks over a £40million-a-year deal to replace Carlos Sainz and join Charles Leclerc from next year.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
DON’T MISS
Lewis Hamilton confirms personal spying mission with Daniel Ricciardo the victim[INSIGHT]
Lewis Hamilton replacement announced with star to miss Abu Dhabi GP session[NEWS]
Christian Horner raises foul-mouthed complaint as F1 teams leave Las Vegas[REACTION]
It would also appear to contradict Hamilton’s assertion that he only ever wanted to stay with Mercedes.
In a video message to Mercedes fans at the end of August, shortly after putting pen to paper, Hamilton insisted there is ‘nowhere else I would rather be’, but allegedly approaching Red Bull and speaking to Ferrari may cause some to cast doubt on that claim.
“I have had such an incredible journey with Mercedes, and we still have unfinished business,” Hamilton said before the Italian Grand Prix.
“We want to get back to the top, and back to fighting for world championships. We are in this together. We have a lot of work to do, but there is nowhere else I would rather be. You are all stuck with me for a little bit longer.”
Source: Read Full Article