Even before Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton extended his contract with Mercedes, those around him apparently explored the possibility of working with Red Bull. This emerges from statements by team boss Christian Horner.
According to the Daily Mail, Lewis Hamilton and those around him are said to have checked out the opportunities at Red Bull and Ferrari before extending his contract with Mercedes. The British newspaper relies on statements from Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
“We have had several discussions over the years about whether Lewis is coming. They have contacted us a few times. Most recently, at the beginning of the year, there was an inquiry as to whether there was interest,” the Daily Mail quoted the Brit as saying.
The 50-year-old Red Bull team boss also said that Hamilton had also had discussions with Ferrari. There had been speculation about this in the Formula 1 camp for a long time. “He met with John Elkann (Ferrari President, editor’s note). I think those were serious discussions. That was in Monaco,” Horner also said.
“Dynamic” between Verstappen and Hamilton “wouldn’t be right”
At the end of August, however, Lewis Hamilton extended his contract with the German factory racing team by a further two years until the end of 2025. He switched from McLaren to the Silver Arrows for the 2013 season and, after his debut title in 2008, celebrated the remaining six World Cup triumphs in the Mercedes, most recently 2020.
Since then, the world champion has been called Max Verstappen and drives a Red Bull. “I can’t imagine how Max and Lewis would work together,” said Horner, according to the Daily Mail. “The dynamic wouldn’t be right.”
In addition to Max Verstappen, the world champion racing team has also confirmed Sergio Perez for the coming season. In addition to Lewis Hamilton, his teammate George Russell also extended his contract early in August.