Max Verstappen on Thursday rejected the notion, rumoured and reported in current days, that his Red Bull group had been contemplating approaching Lewis Hamilton to associate him in a dream line-up.
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Red Bull boss Christian Horner was quoted within the British media this week claiming that Hamilton’s administration group has “reached out” a number of instances, including that “earlier this year there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest”.
But each Verstappen and Hamilton, talking to reporters forward of Sunday’s season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the Yas Marina Circuit, scotched the concept the Briton was on the move from Mercedes.
“It’s not happening,” stated Max Verstappen who has already wrapped up a 3rd successive title.
“There’s no level to make up tales if it’s not taking place.
“I wouldn’t mind, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to put it particularly on Lewis. There’s so many great drivers and sometimes it just doesn’t work out like that.”
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Hamilton additionally distanced himself from Horner’s claims that he “reached out” earlier than agreeing to prolong his contract with Mercedes.
“I don’t really know where that story has come from,” stated the seven-time champion.
“I do know it’s come from Christian however I don’t actually perceive what he’s been speaking about.
“No one, as far as I’m aware, from my team has spoken to him. I haven’t spoken to Christian in years.”
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Hamilton added that Horner had approached him earlier this season.
“I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said that ‘Hopefully soon I’ll be able to fight against you guys in the near future’. That was it. So I’m not really sure, I think he’s just stirring things.”
He admitted, nonetheless, that he would really like to compete with Verstappen in equal equipment.
“Yes, 100 percent, I’d be more than happy to race against him in an equal car,” he stated.
“Red Bull has carried out a tremendous job and it’s an unimaginable group – any driver would love to drive for such an amazing group of individuals.
“I feel transferring from a automotive that’s not so nice to a profitable automotive, from my perspective, that’s not the dream.
“The dream is to start where we (Mercedes) are and build up to then winning. And that’s why I’ve stayed at Mercedes.”
‘Final push’
Verstappen heads into Sunday’s race bidding for a record-increasing nineteenth win in 22 races this 12 months.
A 54th profession victory would carry him past four-time champion Sebastian Vettel within the file books, sitting behind solely Hamilton (103 wins) and Michael Schumacher (91).
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It would additionally give him a chance to break Jim Clark’s 40-year-old landmark file for proportion of laps led in a season.
Clark’s file of 71.4 % of laps led has stood since 1963 however is probably going to fall to Verstappen who has led 75.06 % of this 12 months’s laps.
“Abu Dhabi always brings back good memories for me and the team,” stated Max Verstappen.
“It’s been an extended however profitable season this time and I’m trying ahead to a break and a few free time.
“The group has labored extremely exhausting and everybody deserves relaxation and time with their buddies and households.
“So it’s the last push for the year and I’m hoping to end this season on a high.”
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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