Lewis Hamilton accuses Christian Horner of ‘stirring issues’

Lewis Hamilton has denied in search of a mouth-watering transfer to Red Bull – as an alternative claiming the world championship-winning group approached him.

The seven-time world champion was responding to Mail Sport’s revelation on Wednesday during which Red Bull group principal Christian Horner claimed somebody near Hamilton had been in contact to inquire whether or not they had a seat out there.

That was earlier within the 12 months when Hamilton’s contract negotiations with Mercedes have been dragging on. The 38-year-old has since penned a brand new deal to maintain him on the Silver Arrows till the top of 2025 for £50million a 12 months.

Hamilton, within the paddock forward of Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, mentioned: ‘Christian messaged me.

‘I might be more than pleased to race towards Max (Verstappen) in the identical automotive. That could be great. But I do not suppose he needs me to be his team-mate.’

Lewis Hamilton has hit out at Christian Horner for claiming he wished to maneuver to Red Bull

Horner mentioned a consultant of Hamilton requested about changing into Max Verstappen’s team-mate 

Asked if he had approached Red Bull, Hamilton mentioned: ‘No. I didn’t.

‘I checked with everybody in my group and no person has spoken to them however they’ve tried to achieve out to us.’

That first a part of that assertion could technically be true, however it’s believed to have been Hamilton’s father Anthony, slightly than a paid member of his employees, who contacted Horner.

The plot thickens, with Hamilton claiming: ‘I picked up my previous cellphone which I simply discovered at dwelling. It has my previous quantity. I switched it on and a whole lot of messages got here via and one was from Christian to get collectively and have a catch-up on the finish of the season.’

Why Horner would need to converse to Hamilton on the finish of the marketing campaign is unclear to say the least.

Pressed on whether or not Horner had particularly introduced up the concept of driving for them, Hamilton mentioned: ‘He simply mentioned about having a catch-up.’

Asked whether or not he thought it unusual Horner had talked about his identify this week, the Briton mentioned: ‘Not actually. If you consider it there are lots of people right here who wish to drop my identify in conversations as a result of they know it would make waves. And if you’re slightly bit lonely and aren’t getting a lot consideration that’s the excellent factor to do – simply to say my identify.

‘He’s stirring issues.

‘I did inform Toto (in regards to the claimed contact). I’ve a lot respect for him and we have now an ideal relationship. If individuals suppose these issues (about leaving) it’s by no means optimistic.

‘I replied to him (Horner) on my new cellphone. It was months later. I simply mentioned congratulations on the wonderful season and that I hope we’re in a position to compete with you quickly, and he replied repeating the identical factor (presumably about catching up).

‘Just moving into one of the best automotive would not do a lot for me. Working with my group to beat them could be higher for my legacy.’

The seven-time world champion insisted Horner was merely ‘stirring issues’ together with his claims

Hamilton signed a brand new two-year contract with Mercedes in August price £50m-per-year