F1: Lewis Hamilton denies Christian Horner claim linking him with Red Bull talks - 'He's just stirring things'

Lewis Hamilton has denied claims, made by Christian Horner, that he made contact with Red Bull earlier this year over a potential move to the 2023 F1 constructors' champions.

Rumours swirled following the Las Vegas Grand Prix after Red Bull team principal Horner said someone from Hamilton’s team had reached out to him earlier this year.

And now, ahead of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton has responded to the claim, describing it as Horner “just stirring things.”

“Yeah, I don't really know where that story has come from,” Hamilton told Sky Sports. “I mean, 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 really in years. However, he did reach out to me earlier in the year about meeting up but that’s it, I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said hopefully soon I'll be able to fight against you guys in the near future and that was it.

“I'm not really sure, I think [he’s] just stirring things.”

Hamilton then confirmed “there aren’t any confidential discussions” and that Horner “loves that kind of stuff.”

In the interview with the Daily Mail, Horner had claimed: “We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining.

“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 and Lewis working out together. The dynamic wouldn't be right. We are 100 per cent happy with what we have.”

Red Bull have, once again, risen to the pinnacle of Formula 1 since the new regulations came into effect at the start of the 2022 season.

That came off the back of one of the most tense and tight title battles in the history of the sport when Hamilton and Verstappen arrived in Abu Dhabi tied on points in 2021.

Verstappen prevailed that day, which started a run of three straight drivers’ championships, while Red Bull have also topped the team standings the last two years.

Mercedes, on the other hand, have fallen backwards. A radical ‘zero-sidepod’ design that debuted at the start of 2022 saw them drop well behind the ultimate pace, and it returned at the start of 2023 to the surprise of many.

That philosophy has since been abandoned, but the Brackley-based team have yet to win this season, while Hamilton’s drought extends back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP.

On a potential union with Verstappen, Hamilton insisted he would relish the opportunity to lock horns with the Dutchman in equal machinery, but believes Mercedes’ slump will make a return to winning ways all the sweeter.

“100 per cent I would be more than happy to race against him [Verstappen] in an equal car,” Hamilton added.

“Red Bull has done an amazing job and it is an incredible team in and any driver would love to drive for such a great group of people.

“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 always to start where we kind of are and build up to then winning and that's why I've stayed with Mercedes.”

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