Purple Bull staff principal Christian Horner claims Lewis Hamilton's representatives have made contact over a doable transfer from Mercedes; Watch each a part of the concluding Abu Dhabi GP reside on Sky Sports activities from this Friday at 9.30am and Sunday at 1pm
18:02 UK Thursday 23 November 2023
Lewis Hamilton has denied Christian Horner's claims he has reached out for a possible transfer from Mercedes and says the Purple Bull staff boss tried to arrange a gathering with him.
In an interview printed on Wednesday, Horner claimed Hamilton's consultant approached Purple Bull earlier this yr earlier than the seven-time champion signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes in August.
After narrowly lacking out on a report eighth world championship to Purple Bull's Max Verstappen in 2021, Hamilton watched the Dutchman declare three straight titles in a dominant automotive.
Hamilton mentioned forward of this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which ends this weekend Sky Sports activities F1: “I don't really know the place the story got here from. I imply I do know it got here from Christian…
“I don't actually perceive what he's speaking about as a result of so far as I do know no one on my staff has spoken to him. I haven't spoken to Christian in years.”
“Nonetheless, he approached me originally of the yr a couple of assembly, however that's it. I simply congratulated them on a tremendous yr and mentioned, 'I hope to have the ability to battle you guys quickly within the close to future.' That was it.
“So I'm not likely positive, I feel it's simply bringing it up.
Hamilton additionally mentioned in an interview with print media that he wasn't shocked that folks “deliver my identify up in loads of conversations as a result of they understand it's going to make waves, and in the event you're somewhat lonely and also you're not getting loads of consideration, it's the right factor to do.” do”.
Requested additional about any method from Purple Bull this yr, he mentioned: “I checked with everybody within the staff and nobody spoke to them, however they tried to succeed in out to us.
“Principally I took my previous telephone that I simply discovered at house that had my previous quantity on it and I turned it on, apparently I get a whole bunch of messages and I spotted there was one for Christian, collectively and on the finish chat.” season.”
In an interview with Each day mail Horner additionally recommended that Hamilton meet Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
“We've had a number of conversations over time about Lewis coming in,” Horner mentioned.
“They known as a few instances, the final time, originally of the yr, was a query about whether or not there can be curiosity.
“He additionally met John Elkann (Ferrari chairman). I feel there have been critical talks.
“However I can't see Max and Lewis coaching collectively. The dynamic wouldn't be proper. We're 100% pleased with what we’ve.”
Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur dismissed studies in Could that Hamilton had been provided a giant deal to defect to the Italian staff.
After the opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff admitted that Hamilton wanted to “be sure he has the automotive” to win one other championship and he would have “no complaints” if the seven-time world champion moved elsewhere within the “subsequent one”. a yr or two' except the Brackley-based outfit subject a title-winning automotive.
Verstappen was requested about the potential of partnering with Hamilton sooner or later, however performed down the prospect's probabilities.
“I don't know as a result of it's not occurring. There's no level in making up 'what if' tales. It's not occurring,” Verstappen mentioned.
Pressed extra on whether or not he wish to be his team-mate, he added: “I wouldn't thoughts. It doesn't matter, no one…I don't wish to put it particularly on Lewis. so many nice drivers too, typically it doesn't work that method.”
Evaluation by Craig Slater of Sky Sports activities Information:
“I contacted Purple Bull in the present day they usually mentioned sure, completely, Christian Horner stands by the truth that a identified consultant of Lewis Hamilton made contact with him. They didn't specify how deep that contact was particularly. But it surely occurred.” .
“The extra fascinating facet of all that is that Lewis ended up re-signing with Mercedes for an additional couple of years and he did so in August. [is] in the course of the contract negotiation course of he talked about not wanting anyplace else.
“So I obtained in contact with Mercedes who instructed me they're relaxed; they're not burdened about it, in the event that they see it, they suppose it's fairly unlikely, however of their view it might be due diligence, possibly for Lewis Hamilton's consultant , to go see what else was there, what future alternatives might probably be there, however they don't take it significantly critically.
“By no means is it a difficulty between the staff and Lewis, even when it did occur, which they don't consider it did. It may be that Lewis didn't even learn about it, after all.” Concerning this contact, one insider related to the staff has essentially commented to me that this Christian Horner wants to make use of Lewis' identify to make some headlines.”
Sky Sports activities F1 Abu Dhabi GP Dwell
Friday, November 24
- 7:00 a.m.: F2 apply
- 9.00am: Abu Dhabi GP Observe 1 (session begins at 9.30am)
- 22:55: Qualifying F2
- 12.45pm: Abu Dhabi GP apply 2 (begin at 1pm)
- 14:15: Present F1
Saturday, November 25
- 10.15am: Abu Dhabi GP apply 3 (session begins at 10.30am)
- 12:15: F2 Dash
- 13:15: Compilation of qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP
- 14:00: Qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP
- 4:00 p.m.: Ted's qualifying pocket book
Sunday, November 26
- 9:10 a.m.: F2 foremost race
- 23:30: Sunday Grand Prix Abu Dhabi GP build-up
- 1pm: ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
- 15:00: Checkered flag: Response to the Abu Dhabi GP
- 4:00 p.m.: Ted's pocket book
After the thrill of Las Vegas, System 1 heads to the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi for the 2023 season finale and one other beautiful spectacle beneath the lights. Watch the Abu Dhabi weekend reside on Sky Sports activities F1 with the lights out on Sunday at 1pm. Stream F1 on Sky Sports activities with NOW