FILE– Pink Bull staff principal Christian Horner. REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger
Pink Bull staff chief Christian Horner on Friday admitted he had not been approached by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton about becoming a member of his staff.
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.
Talking to 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 Day by day Mail newspaper that there had been “an inquiry” from Hamilton about the opportunity of driving for Pink 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 stated.
“I’ve checked with everybody and nobody from my staff has reached out to him. There aren’t any confidential discussions. You already know Christian… he loves that sort of stuff.”
On Friday, Horner stated: “It’s outstanding how a lot traction this has bought so thanks to the Day by day Mail for going solely massive on this merchandise.
“I imply, it’s a query of ‘He stated, she stated, who stated, what stated’… It’s completely regular for drivers, drivers’ representatives and drivers’ mother and father to have totally different conversations through 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 staff.
“And look, you realize, we haven’t had any severe dialogue with Lewis. There was by no means a seat accessible,” added Horner.
“I’ve identified Anthony Hamilton for a few years. He’s man. He’s a proud racing father and inevitably, when drivers undergo robust spots — and let’s face it, Lewis hasn’t received a Grand Prix for 2 years — it’s inevitable questions shall 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’d suppose they had been moderately shut…
“It’s tough to say, however aside from pleasantries, there was no particular ‘Can I drive for Pink Bull subsequent yr?’.”
‘Doubt I used to be just one’
Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (L) and Pink Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen have a good time on the rostrum after the Formulation One Mexico Grand Prix. Verstappen received the race whereas Hamilton positioned second. (Picture by CLAUDIO CRUZ / AFP)
He stated he didn’t suppose Mercedes could be shocked to study that anybody from Hamilton’s staff made contact with Pink Bull.
“He’s essentially the most profitable driver of all time and hasn’t received a Grand Prix since 2021 so that you haven’t bought 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. Lots has been fabricated from one thing pretty innocuous.”
Horner’s last feedback could have been a response to Hamilton’s abstract on Thursday when the Briton stated: “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’s going to make waves.
“And if you’re a little bit bit lonely and will not be getting a lot consideration that’s the good factor to do — simply point out my identify.”
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Hamilton has persistently pledged his loyalty and help to Mercedes since controversially lacking out on his eighth world title to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi two years in the past.