Max Verstappen makes stance clear on Lewis Hamilton to Red Bull rumours
Christian Horner lifts lid on 'serious talks' with Lewis Hamilton about joining Red Bull
Max Verstappen has played down rumours linking Lewis Hamilton with Red Bull but insisted that he “wouldn’t mind” having the Brit on his team. Christian Horner confirmed that he held talks with the seven-time world champion before Hamilton renewed his contract with Mercedes earlier this year.
Horner insisted that Hamilton and his entourage enquired about the possibility of joining Red Bull earlier this year. “We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining,” Horner said. “They have reached out a few times. Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest.
“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.”
When asked about Hamilton potentially joining him at Red Bull, Verstappen replied: “Hamilton as team-mate? I don’t know, it isn’t happening, so there is no point on making up if and ifs. I wouldn’t mind him, I don’t want to put this on Lewis, there are a lot of great drivers.”
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Hamilton meanwhile was perplexed by the bombshell link to Red Bull, months on from his contract extension being confirmed with the Silver Arrows. “Yeah I don’t really know where that story has come from,” he told Sky Sports F1. “I mean I know it’s come from Christian…
“So I don’t really understand what he’s been talking about 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.
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“I just congratulated him on an amazing year and said ‘Hopefully soon I’ll be able to fight against you guys in the near future’. That was it.”
Hamilton’s contract at Mercedes was due to expire at the end of this season, before he penned a two-year extension to keep him alongside Toto Wolff until 2025.
If Red Bull were planning on pairing Hamilton with Verstappen, they also would have had the issue of Sergio Perez. His seat has been under pressure but the Mexican driver has been publicly backed by Horner repeatedly and is also under contract for the 2024 season.
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