The Formula 1 paddock in Abu Dhabi has been absolutely buzzing with the unfolding saga involving Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull. The story gained traction after Red Bull team boss Christian Horner mentioned Hamilton’s approach to join the team during an interview with the Daily Mail. Horner’s revelation has stirred a mix of reactions and counter-claims. “It’s remarkable how much traction this has got,” Horner said, acknowledging the widespread interest in the story. “So thank you to the Daily Mail for going exclusively large on this item.”
Hamilton, however, presented a different angle, suggesting it was Horner who initiated contact. He claimed Horner sent him a message earlier this year, even as Hamilton signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes in late August.
Horner further revealed that Hamilton’s father, Anthony, also made an approach. “Look, we haven’t had any serious discussions with Lewis,” Horner clarified. “There was never a seat available.” He added, “Inevitably when drivers go through tough spots…it’s inevitable that questions will be asked up and down the paddock.”
Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff countered Horner’s claims. He stated, “Through an external agency that we work with, Christian enquired about Lewis’ contact details and then discussed a possible seat. It was Christian who requested information about Lewis’ availability.” Wolff recounted that Hamilton and Horner did have a conversation, which Hamilton immediately reported to him.
Wolff expressed skepticism about Horner’s motives for bringing up the story, particularly Anthony Hamilton’s involvement, which ended in 2010. “But you do wonder why such a story has come up at the last race,” Wolff remarked. “I don’t mean Helmut (Marko), because he is serious and he ultimately makes the decision about the drivers. I think the other (Horner) wanted to get some media attention by using Lewis’ name. And if he needs that, he should do it. But I don’t know what drives him. They won this season. Enjoy it. Stay humble, but enjoy it,” he said, criticizing Horner’s actions.
Former F1 driver Christijan Albers echoed Wolff’s sentiments, calling Horner’s actions “typical attention-seeking” and “unprofessional.” “Sorry, but even if the situation is as he says, you simply don’t do this,” Albers said, accusing Horner of craving publicity and possibly aiming for greater inclusion in the Netflix series. “But it’s idiocy,” he added, speaking to Viaplay.
Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s team consultant, confirmed that Hamilton did indeed reach out to Red Bull with a “serious” approach. “Yes,” he told Osterreich newspaper. Marko explained that the combination of Hamilton and Verstappen wouldn’t work due to the emotional aftermath of the 2021 season and financial constraints. “But the crucial thing was that the climate between the two is irreversibly damaged,” he added, also speaking to Kleine Zeitung.
“Verstappen and Hamilton in one team doesn’t work. For Max, what happened in 2021 went too deep.” The 80-year-old added: “Christian Horner informed me that people close to Hamilton contacted him to ask whether there was a possibility that he could drive with us.
“I said that the atmosphere would be too charged due to the events of 2021 and that it can’t work for emotional reasons. And also financially, we can’t afford the two most expensive drivers.”
Albers acknowledged that while a Hamilton-Verstappen pairing would be exciting for F1, it’s unlikely. “It would be very cool, but of course, Lewis would never drive next to Max,” he said, dismissing the possibility. “It’s not relevant anyway, because he has already signed with Mercedes. But he certainly also spoke to Ferrari. And he’s joking a bit when he says he’d like to race next to Max. Because no way! I’ll never believe that. Never.”
