Lewis Hamilton gives bemused reaction to Christian Horner bombshell over switch to join Red Bull and Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton was bemused following claims his representatives contacted Christian Horner over a possible switch to Red Bull.
Horner revealed Hamilton declared an interest in joining Red Bull which would have seen him strike up an unlikely alliance with reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
But the seven-time Formula 1 world champion poured cold water over the bombshell revelation when quizzed on Thursday.
According to the Red Bull boss, Hamilton reached out to him earlier this year before the 38-year-old signed a new deal with Mercedes in August.
“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.
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“'But I can't see Max and Lewis working out together. The dynamic wouldn't be right. We are 100 percent happy with what we have.”
A relaxed Hamilton responded to the claims and while admitting he did have contact with Horner, he labelled the Red Bull chief a ‘stirrer.’
“I don’t really know where that story has come from,” Hamilton told Sky Sports. “I know it’s come from Christian but 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, however he did reach out to me earlier on in the year about meeting up but that's it.
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“I just congratulated him on an amazing year and said ‘I hope I will be able to fight against you guys in the near future’. That was it so I’m not really sure, I think he’s just stirring things."
When asked if he would be interested in a future partnership with Verstappen at Red Bull, Hamilton remained complimentary of their work but admitted a switch would not represent ‘the dream.’
“Red Bull has done an amazing job and it is an incredible team and any driver would love to drive for just a great group of people,” he added. “I think moving from a car that’s not so great to a winning car, from my perspective, that’s not a dream.
“The dream is to start from where we are and build up to winning and that’s why I’ve stayed with Mercedes.”