- The two drivers have a long history of rivalry
- But there are claims that Lewis Hamilton had an interest in joining Red Bull
- However, he stays with Mercedes for now after a contract renewal for two years
Formula One fans could be in for a treat as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen become teammates at Red Bull.
The two drivers have a long history of rivalry, and the prospect of them sharing a team would be sure to excite fans. But how is this possible when Verstappen and Hamilton are the biggest F1 rivals yet?
Would Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen Work at Red Bull as Teammates?
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner recently disclosed that Hamilton approached him early this year about a potential seat. Horner said that he was flattered by Hamilton’s interest, but that it was not something that Red Bull was considering at the time.
Horner spilled the beans during an interview with the Daily Mail, citing that the 38-year-old British F1 driver was looking for an opportunity following the lapse of his contract with Mercedes at the end of the 2023 season.
Max Verstappen with Lewis Hamilton. Photo by Crash.net
However, Hamilton refuted these claims, citing that it was Horner who reached out to him and not the other way around. He said that the Red Bull team principal was only trying to stir a debate with his pronouncement.
Although he had changed phone numbers, the Mercedes driver remembered returning from a race weekend earlier in the season to find a message from the Red Bull team principal.
He is still adamant that, contrary to what the team principal claimed, his representatives did not speak with Horner and Red Bull.
Hamilton informed the media that he checked with everyone on his team, and no one ever approached Horner to broker a deal.
Despite Red Bull’s reluctance, Hamilton has said that he would be “more than happy” to race Verstappen in the same car. He said that it would be a “wonderful” challenge and that he would be up for the fight.
Verstappen, on the other hand, seems to be less keen on the idea. He said that he doesn’t think it would be the best thing for Red Bull’s dynamics to have Hamilton join the team.
The three-time F1 World Champion said that, as successful Formula One drivers, being in one team would be a wrong move.
Would Lewis Hamilton Team Up With Max Verstappen at Red Bull?
Hamilton was open to joining Verstappen at Red Bull but he was also aware that this wouldn’t sit well with the latter.
“I’d be more than happy to race against Max in the same car, it would be wonderful, [but] I don’t think he wants me to be his teammate,” stated the Mercedes driver during a press conference in Abu Dhabi.
Delving deeper into the details of Horner’s message in an interview with Sky Sports F1, the conversation naturally shifted back to the prospect of partnering with Verstappen.
Hamilton reiterated his willingness to compete alongside Verstappen, provided he got a car as powerful as the Dutch’s.
Lewis Hamilton is pushing for an F1 race in Africa. Photo/Sports Illustrated
“I’m 100% open to racing against him in an equal car,” he affirmed when questioned about the possibility of teaming up with Verstappen in the future.
He expressed admiration for Red Bull’s impressive performance, acknowledging the team’s excellence and stating that any driver would relish the opportunity to be part of such an exceptional group.
Hamilton emphasized that, from his perspective, transitioning from a less competitive car to a championship-winning one isn’t the ultimate aspiration.
He explained, “The dream is always to start where we kind of are and build up to winning, and that’s why I’ve stayed with Mercedes.”
Despite his interest in racing Verstappen, Hamilton has recently committed his future to Mercedes. He said that the thrill of the journey back to the top with Mercedes is the reason behind his signing a new contract with the team.
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