Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Horner says Hamilton wanted to join Red Bull before moving to Mercedes
Christian Horner says Lewis Hamilton approached Red Bull in 2012 while considering a move from McLaren.
Horner says they met at the home of Red Bull designer Adrian Newey near Ascot to discuss Hamilton joining Sebastian Vettel as a team-mate.
Horner recounts the meeting in his autobiography, Drive, and says Hamilton saw Red Bull as his preferred destination.
The deal fell through over the financial demands, and Horner also describes reservations from Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko.
Hamilton left McLaren at the end of 2012 and joined Mercedes for the 2013 season.
At Mercedes, he won six world titles, making the move a major turning point in his career.
Christian Horner says Lewis Hamilton wanted to join Red Bull before moving from McLaren to Mercedes.
Horner says he met Hamilton in 2012 at Adrian Newey’s home near Ascot.
Hamilton reportedly asked what it would take to join Red Bull, but the team did not pursue the deal forcefully.
Horner says Helmut Marko was apprehensive about Hamilton joining Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull.
Horner says the financial demands were a major obstacle, and suggests Mercedes was the team that signed Hamilton.
- Who
- Lewis Hamilton and Christian Horner. Horner says Adrian Newey and Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko were also involved in discussions.
- What
- Horner says Hamilton explored joining Red Bull before moving to Mercedes.
- When
- 2012.
- Where
- A meeting took place at Adrian Newey’s home near Ascot.
- Why
- Horner says Hamilton was looking to leave McLaren. Red Bull did not pursue the deal forcefully because of its likely cost and concerns about its effect on Sebastian Vettel.
Christian Horner and Adrian Newey
Helmut Marko
Hamilton’s potential signing
Christian Horner and Adrian Newey
Horner says he and Newey were intrigued by the prospect of Hamilton joining Vettel at Red Bull.
Helmut Marko
Horner says Marko was apprehensive because Hamilton’s arrival could affect Vettel, his protégé.
Horner says Hamilton was losing heart at McLaren amid a strained relationship with Jenson Button and mechanical failures.
Horner says he met Hamilton at Adrian Newey’s home near Ascot to discuss a possible move to Red Bull.
Hamilton left McLaren.
Hamilton joined Mercedes.
Hamilton moved to Ferrari.
- Meeting
- At Adrian Newey’s home near Ascot
- Potential Red Bull team-mate
- Sebastian Vettel
- Main financial obstacle
- Horner described the sums required as “staggering
- Hamilton’s Mercedes move
- Joined in 2013
- Hamilton’s Ferrari move
- 2025