This is what Hamilton himself says about 'contact' with Red Bull earlier this season

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12:54, 23 Nov 2023

Olly Darcy is an editor at GPblog, specializing in Formula 1 news. With a background in sports journalism, he delivers timely and reliable coverage of the sport.

Striking news on Thursday morning: Christian Horner claimed that Lewis Hamilton had sought rapprochement with Red Bull Racing earlier in 2023. The thrust of this? A possible switch, Horner said. The seven-time world champion has now commented on the reports himself.

According to the 38-year-old Briton, there is absolutely nothing true about the story that someone from his camp contacted Red Bull. Hamilton himself revealed this to F1 presenter Will Buxton. There has been no conversation with Horner at all in recent years.

Will Buxton

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Questioned Lewis about Christian Horner’s claim the 7 time champ had approached him earlier this year about moving to RBR. He said neither he nor anyone in his team had done so and it had been years since he’d had a proper conversation with the Red Bull boss.

11:41 AM · Nov 23, 2023

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Horner claims there was contact

In an interview with The Daily Mail, Horner hinted: "We have had some conversations about Lewis [Hamilton] in recent years. They have been in contact a few times. The last time was earlier this year. Then they were asked if there was interest." However, the Austrians' answer was clear: Sergio Pérez has a contract for 2024.

Moreover, Red Bull team boss Horner did not see a driver duo Max Verstappen-Lewis Hamilton happening. Apart from the financial picture that would come with it, even more important was the dynamic between the two.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	156
2	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	115
3	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	106
4	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	75
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	73
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	70
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	55
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	37
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	32
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	28
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	19
12	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
13	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	14
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
15	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
17	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
18	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
20	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
21	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

This is what Hamilton himself says about 'contact' with Red Bull earlier this season

Horner claims there was contact

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