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Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton addressed rumors of a shocking move to Red Bull
Earlier this week, Christian Horner send shockwaves through the Formula 1 world when he told the Daily Mail that Lewis Hamilton’s representatives reached out to Red Bull earlier in the season regarding a potential move to the team, which would pair the seven-time World Champion with Max Verstappen.
Now, ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton is dismissing those reports outright.
“I mean it’s completely untrue, I’ve not spoken to Christian in a very long time, and as far as I’m aware no one in my team has spoken to them,” said Hamilton to assembled media at Yas Marina on Thursday.
Hamilton did indicate that it was Horner who reached out.
“However, he reached out to me earlier in the year on my old phone and I didn’t see it until much later in the year,” added the Mercedes driver.
You can see Hamilton’s entire comments to Canal+ here:
“C’est complètement faux. Par contre, Christian m’a contacté plus tôt dans l’année”
Lewis Hamilton réagit aux déclarations de Christian Horner, qui affirme qu’il aurait contacté Red Bull avant de renouveler son contrat chez Mercedes #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/CVTGgfmiJZ
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) November 23, 2023
Hamilton’s contract was a huge discussion point earlier in the season. The driver was in the final year of his deal with Mercedes, and as contract talks lingered rumors about a shocking move to Ferrari, or even Red Bull, worked their way through the paddock.
Mercedes eventually inked Hamilton to a new two-year deal that will keep him with the team through the 2025 season, but it seems his contract status will remain a talking point at least through the end of this season.
Hamilton and Mercedes are still hoping to lock down second in the Constructors’ Championship, as they hold just a four-point lead over Ferrari heading into the final race of the year.
