Horner gives final ruling on soap opera surrounding Hamilton and Red Bull

What would have been the chances of Lewis Hamilton driving for Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen in the current Formula One season? Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said there had been talks between the two camps, but then, in an interview with RaceFans is quite nuanced with his statements.

Someone from camp Hamilton had contacted the Austrian racing team for a possible Formula 1 seat. Horner, who already told that any collaboration between the three-time world champion, and the seven-time world champion, was unlikely to go well, provides more clarification. Among other things, he says there have been no secret talks, and no meetings.

"They were just expressing interest," Horner revealed ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. "But that’s not unusual, let’s put it that way. Maybe it’s slightly awkward for Lewis, obviously, with his own team. It’s not unusual for people to reach out," added the Briton.

"I’d be rather surprised if they hadn’t informed Lewis but you never know how managements work with different athletes," Horner explained. "I have had no conversations directly with Lewis. There was no clandestine meetings with Lewis to talk about driving for Red Bull," concluded the 50-year-old team boss.