Max Verstappen rejects idea of Lewis Hamilton move to Red Bull

ABU DHABI – Max Verstappen on Nov 23 rejected the notion, rumoured and reported in recent days, that his Red Bull team were considering approaching Lewis Hamilton to partner him in a dream line-up.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was quoted in the British media this week claiming that Hamilton’s management team have “reached out” several times, adding that “earlier this year there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest”.

But both Verstappen and Hamilton, speaking ahead of the Nov 26 season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, scotched the idea that the Briton was on the move from Mercedes.

“It’s not happening,” said Verstappen, who has already wrapped up a third successive title. “There’s no point to make up stories if it’s not happening.

“I wouldn’t mind, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to put it particularly on Lewis. There’s so many great drivers and sometimes it just doesn’t work out like that.”

Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, also distanced himself from Horner’s claims that he “reached out” before agreeing to extend his contract with Mercedes.

“I don’t really know where that story has come from,” he said. “I know it’s come from Christian, but 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 in years.”

But he added that Horner had messaged him earlier in 2023, on an old phone he had left at home.

“I switched it on and obviously hundreds of messages came through and I realised there was one from Christian to get together and have a chat at the end of the season,” he said.

“I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said that, ‘Hopefully soon, I’ll be able to fight against you guys in the near future’. That was it. So I’m not really sure, I think he’s just stirring things.”

Horner had also told the Daily Mail earlier in 2023 that Hamilton, who has not won a race since 2021, had talks with Ferrari chairman John Elkann.

Hamilton, who signed a two-year deal with Mercedes in August, denied the Ferrari speculation then. It is highly unlikely that he will join Red Bull but he also admitted that he would like to compete with Verstappen in equal machinery.

“Yes, 100 per cent, I’d be more than happy to race against him in an equal car,” he said. “Red Bull has done an amazing job and it’s an incredible team – any driver would love to drive for such a great group.

“I think moving from a car that’s not so great to a winning car, from my perspective, that’s not the dream.

“The dream is to start where we (Mercedes) are and build up to then winning. And that’s why I’ve stayed at Mercedes.”

Verstappen heads into the Abu Dhabi race bidding for a record-extending 19th win in 22 races this season. A 54th career victory would carry him beyond four-time champion Sebastian Vettel in the record books, sitting behind only Hamilton (103 wins) and Michael Schumacher (91).

It would also give him an opportunity to break Jim Clark’s 40-year-old mark for percentage of laps led in a season. Clark’s record of 71.47 per cent of laps led has stood since 1963, but is set to fall to Verstappen who has led 75.06 per cent of 2023’s laps.

“Abu Dhabi always brings back good memories for me and the team,” said Verstappen.

“The team has worked incredibly hard and everyone deserves a good rest and time with their friends and families.

“It’s been a long but successful season and I’m also looking forward to a break and some free time.

“So it’s the last push for the year and I’m hoping to end this season on a high.” AFP, REUTERS