Lewis Hamilton highlights his long-term relationship with Ferrari Seniors.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has once again come forward to refute Red Bull team principal Christian Horner’s claims, this time regarding the Ferrari contact whom Hamilton supposedly approached for a seat with the Maranello-based squad.
Just last week, Hamilton found himself in the middle of a controversy after Horner revealed that he had been approached by the seven-time world champion for a seat at Red Bull.
In return, Hamilton claimed that Horner was “just stirring things.” Horner then stepped forward again to claim that Hamilton’s father Anthony had made contact with him.
In addition, Horner contended that Hamilton engaged in “serious” discussions with Ferrari chairman Elkann, likely involving team principal Fred Vasseur, around the time of the Monaco Grand Prix in May.
According to a report in May, Elkann had offered the Mercedes driver £40million to join Ferrari in 2024. But, Hamilton continued his journey with Mercedes by extending his contract until the end of 2025, with the deal announced in August.
When asked about Horner’s Ferrari claims, Hamilton said that his relationship with Elkann and Vasseur goes back many years. He also clarified that no discussions took place with the Maranello outfit over a potential move. Speaking to PlanetF1, he revealed:
“I know John really well, we met years ago in the Google camp. I went to a Google camp in Sicily and that’s when our friendship started and we’ve always remained in touch.
“I’ve known Fred since 2005 and we’ve always had a really great relationship and we would talk often, particularly since he’s been in Formula 1.
“Because after I left his team, we would talk all the time obviously when I was in his team, and I came to Formula 1 and you have less contact with the Formula 2 series.
“But since he’s been back [in F1] we’ve met, we’ve had more [conversations], we’ve travelled together with Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team boss].
“So that’s really as far as it goes.”
Hamilton has been one of the most successful drivers in Formula One. But, his last win in 2021 has prompted Horner to say that it doesn’t require a “rocket scientist” to figure out why Hamilton would’ve considered quitting Mercedes after a 2-year barren run.
