As the current F1 season is on the cusp of culmination, the world is now keen on finding out which team the drivers are headed to for the 2024 season. Reports from some British media outlets surfaced this week claiming that Red Bull Formula One Team Principal Christian Horner was allegedly contacted by a member of Lewis Hamilton’s representatives regarding the possibility of the Briton driving for Red Bull next year.
This report contradicts the fact that Hamilton announced a two-year contract extension (till the end of 2025) with Mercedes back in August this year. But given the team’s turbulent 2023 season, it is not impossible to imagine Hamilton planning a premature exit from the team after a decade-long stint. At the start of the year, he was also linked to a rumour about making a move to Ferrari, but he put that one to bed too.
Interestingly, while speaking to the media ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton was asked about Horner’s alleged comments, to which he replied, “I’ve not approached Christian; I haven’t spoken to Christian for years and no one from my team has. I’ve checked with everyone, no one from my team has reached out to him. However, he had reached out to me about meeting up at the end of the season.”
Even Max Verstappen was asked about the same, and he also quashed the report, stating that “It’s not happening.” It only makes sense as there is pretty much no case for putting together two of the top F1 drivers as teammates. At the end of the day, there can only be one world champion, and it seems unlikely that either one of them will settle for second.
Hamilton and Mercedes have a big task ahead of them at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Only four points separate them and third-placed Scuderia Ferrari in the constructors’ championship. Defending their place from Ferrari will be anything but easy.