Lewis Hamilton denies wild rumors about Red Bull
English media report that Lewis Hamilton has flirted with a move to Red Bull several times in the past. They even quote the team principal of the world champion team. Ahead of the final race of the Formula 1 season, the Briton denies the rumors and appears uncomprehending.
Did Lewis Hamilton really want to sound out his chances of switching to Red Bull? Or did the famous racing team ask for a meeting with the record-breaking champion? In any case, the biggest whispering topic in the paddock in Abu Dhabi has nothing to do with the Formula 1 season finale on Sunday (2pm/Sky and in the live ticker on ntv.de).
"I really don't understand what Christian means by that," said Hamilton on British broadcaster Sky when asked about the fact that Red Bull team boss Christian Horner had told the Daily Mail that Hamilton's entourage had contacted his team "a few times" in recent years: "The last time there was an inquiry at the beginning of the year to see if there was any interest." At that time, Hamilton's contract with Mercedes expired at the end of this year, and in the summer he signed with the Silver Arrows until 2025.
Verstappen doesn't even want to think about the rumor
"I don't really understand what he's talking about, because as far as I know, nobody from my team has spoken to him," said Hamilton, adding that he himself "hasn't spoken to Christian for years". However, Horner "got in touch with me at the beginning of the year to meet with me, but that was it," said Hamilton: "I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said, 'Hopefully I can fight you guys in the near future'."
Max Verstappen, who fought a heated duel with Hamilton for the 2021 World Championship title, reacted to the story in a decidedly cool manner. "I wouldn't mind," said the world champion about a possible team-mate with Hamilton. But because it didn't come to that anyway, there was "no point" in seriously thinking about it.
Hamilton succeeded Michael Schumacher when he switched from McLaren to Mercedes for the 2013 season. The Briton has won six of his seven world championship titles with the Silver Arrow.
Despite the alleged contact between Hamilton's entourage and Red Bull's team principal in the past, Lewis Hamilton has dismissed the rumors of a potential move to Red Bull Racing. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, Red Bull's current star driver, expressed no interest in the possibility of Hamilton joining his team, as there was no serious consideration given to it.
Source: www.ntv.de
