FILE– Purple Bull crew principal Christian Horner. REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger
Purple Bull crew chief Christian Horner on Friday admitted he had not been approached by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton about becoming a member of his crew.
He additionally made clear the one contact he acquired had come from his father Anthony Hamilton, who ended his administration of his son’s racing profession in 2010.
Chatting with reporters throughout a information convention on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Horner admitted he had had no “severe dialogue” with Hamilton.
This got here after Horner had advised the Each day Mail newspaper that there had been “an inquiry” from Hamilton about the potential of driving for Purple Bull subsequent season, earlier than he signed a two-year extension to his contract with Mercedes.
Hamilton on Thursday denied these claims, suggesting Horner was “stirring issues up”.
“I’ve not approached Christian. I haven’t spoken to Christian for years,” he mentioned.
“I’ve checked with everybody and nobody from my crew has reached out to him. There aren’t any confidential discussions. You recognize Christian… he loves that type of stuff.”
On Friday, Horner mentioned: “It’s outstanding how a lot traction this has received so thanks to the Each day Mail for going completely massive on this merchandise.
“I imply, it’s a query of ‘He mentioned, she mentioned, who mentioned, what mentioned’… It’s completely regular for drivers, drivers’ representatives and drivers’ mother and father to have totally different conversations throughout the course of the yr.”
Hamilton has pushed for Mercedes since becoming a member of from McLaren for the 2013 season, successful six drivers’ world titles with the crew.
“And look, you understand, we haven’t had any severe dialogue with Lewis. There was by no means a seat obtainable,” added Horner.
“I’ve identified Anthony Hamilton for a few years. He’s a superb man. He’s a proud racing father and inevitably, when drivers undergo powerful spots — and let’s face it, Lewis hasn’t gained a Grand Prix for 2 years — it’s inevitable questions might be requested up and down the paddock.
“However there was by no means any engagement and I don’t know who represents who or what, however with the identical surname, you’ll suppose they have been fairly shut…
“It’s tough to say, however apart from pleasantries, there was no particular ‘Can I drive for Purple Bull subsequent yr?’.”
‘Doubt I used to be just one’
Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (L) and Purple Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen rejoice on the rostrum after the Method One Mexico Grand Prix. Verstappen gained the race whereas Hamilton positioned second. (Picture by CLAUDIO CRUZ / AFP)
He mentioned he didn’t suppose Mercedes can be stunned to be taught that anybody from Hamilton’s crew made contact with Purple Bull.
“He’s probably the most profitable driver of all time and hasn’t gained a Grand Prix since 2021 so that you haven’t received to be a rocket scientist to work that out.
“And I doubt that I used to be the one one which there was an inquiry made to… Now, what the dynamics are inside any given relationship? I don’t know… I’m not aware about that, however inevitably questions are going to be requested.
“There’s not likely far more to say. Loads has been manufactured from one thing pretty innocuous.”
Horner’s last feedback could have been a response to Hamilton’s abstract on Thursday when the Briton mentioned: “If you happen to actually give it some thought, there are lots of people right here who actually prefer to drop my identify in conversations as a result of they know it will make waves.
“And in case you are a bit bit lonely and are usually not getting a lot consideration that’s the good factor to do — simply point out my identify.”
Hamilton has constantly pledged his loyalty and assist to Mercedes since controversially lacking out on his eighth world title to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi two years in the past.