Last Updated on November 25 2023, 8:22 am

With the F1 paddock abuzz with Christian Horner’s revelation about Lewis Hamilton’s potential move to Red Bull, advisor Helmut Marko has revealed further details, highlighting the Briton’s key condition for the move.

The intrigue follows Horner’s claim that Hamilton approached Red Bull earlier this year as he considered alternatives for his F1 career.

 

The background of the story

In a world where Formula 1 news moves as quickly as the cars on the track, one story has grabbed the spotlight with the force of a Monaco tunnel echo—Lewis Hamilton’s alleged outreach to Red Bull Racing for a potential seat. The narrative, set in motion by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, suggests a clandestine enquiry by the seven-time world champion into a 2023 drive with the Milton Keynes-based outfit. However, Hamilton has firmly rebuffed these claims, maintaining his loyalty to Mercedes.

 

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The tale unfolded with Horner’s assertion that Hamilton, or at least his entourage (namely his father), had shown interest in donning the Red Bull overalls. Yet, Hamilton’s response during the press engagements ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was unequivocal: no such approach had been made. He clarified that the only interaction with Horner was a congratulatory message, devoid of any career manoeuvring subtext.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has echoed Hamilton’s sentiment, throwing his support behind his driver and underlining the mutual trust that has been the bedrock of their partnership. Wolff’s words add a layer of solidity to Hamilton’s denial, underscoring the unity within the Mercedes camp, even as the rumor mill churns out speculative narratives.

 

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Hamilton’s one condition for joining Red Bull

Hamilton was apparently keen to ensure parity of machinery if he were to become Max Verstappen’s teammate, Marko has now confirmed that Hamilton’s camp made an approach with a clear stipulation: equality in terms of the racing hardware provided to both him and reigning champion Verstappen.

“Christian Horner told me about a message he received from Hamilton’s circle in January,” Marko told F1 Insider.

“It came across as a sanctioned move from Hamilton himself. The message talked about a precondition that Hamilton had set: he was only willing to drive for Red Bull if he was guaranteed the same equipment as Max Verstappen. As far as I could tell, Hamilton’s approach was quite serious…”

 

 

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Hamilton / Verstappen duo ‘never a possibility’

Despite the tantalising prospect of two of F1’s leading lights clashing in the same team, Red Bull insist they never really considered such a recruitment. The team’s success with Verstappen and Sergio Perez, underlined by their clinching of the Constructors’ title with a substantial lead, spoke of a well-oiled team dynamic that Red Bull were not about to disrupt.

“Bringing Hamilton into the fold alongside Verstappen was never really on the table,” Marko continued. “Firstly, we are very happy with our current drivers, including Perez. Also, having two alpha drivers under one roof is a recipe for discord…

“Most importantly, meeting the combined salaries of F1’s two most expensive drivers is simply beyond Red Bull’s financial means.

“However, it’s understandable that a driver of Hamilton’s calibre would seek out a team with the best prospects of success.”

 

 

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Wolff ‘baffled’

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, has been vocal in his refutation of Horner’s claims, expressing bewilderment at his counterpart’s motivations for making such claims. Wolff claimed that it was Horner who initiated the contact and asked about Hamilton’s availability, not the other way around.

“I’m baffled as to what is driving him,” Wolff told the press. “The actual sequence of events is that Horner, through a mutual agency, asked for Hamilton’s details to discuss a possible seat. That’s the extent of it – Horner was the one who investigated his availability.”

 

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Wolff argued that any communication between Hamilton and Horner was not about a change of team, but was rather insignificant – and he has seen the proof.

He suggested that Horner should adopt a more gracious demeanour in light of his team’s triumphs, urging him to savour the victory and avoid dwelling on past controversies.

“You’ve won the season. Enjoy it, show humility. There’s no need to dredge up the past or rekindle old feuds,” Wolff added, alluding to lingering tensions from the 2021 season finale and its aftermath.

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MORE F1 NEWS: Toto Wolff accuses Christian Horner of lying

The bitterness that developed between Mercedes Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s Christian Horner during the 2021 championship year shows no sign of abating now two years on. What should have been a nothing story reported in the Daily Mail about Lewis Hamilton’s team approaching Red Bull earlier this season has now descended into farce with claim and counter claim being made.

The article in the British media claimed that a ‘known representative’ of Hamilton had contacted Christian Horner while the seven times world champion was negotiating his new contract with Mercedes. Given that Red Bull look set to…READ MORE ON THIS STORY