Max Verstappen Welcomes Idea of Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull Teammate Amidst F1 Rumor Mill

Max Verstappen, the current F1 World Champion, expressed openness to having Lewis Hamilton join him at Red Bull, despite dismissing the rumors as speculative. Both Verstappen and Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, emphasized their current commitments to their respective teams.

Key Takeaways:

• Verstappen’s Stance: Max Verstappen stated he would not be opposed to Lewis Hamilton joining him at Red Bull, but downplayed the rumours as speculative and currently irrelevant.
• Hamilton’s Denial: Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, firmly denied any approach by Red Bull’s Christian Horner, emphasizing his commitment to Mercedes with a new two-year contract.
• Continued Dominance and Team Dynamics: Despite the rumours, the Red Bull team seems set to continue with Sergio Perez as Verstappen’s teammate, following a successful season that saw Perez secure second place in the drivers’ championship.

In a recent statement, reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen discussed the possibility of having Lewis Hamilton, a seasoned F1 legend, as his teammate at Red Bull. This subject has been ripe with speculation in the F1 world, particularly after Red Bull team principal Christian Horner indicated that a representative for Hamilton had reached out about a potential spot alongside Verstappen. However, both drivers have strongly dismissed these rumors as nothing more than speculation.

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen spoke to Sky Sports F1, saying, “I don’t know [what it would add]. It’s not happening, so there’s no point to make up stories. It’s not happening. I wouldn’t mind it, it doesn’t matter, anyone [points to other drivers]. I don’t want to put it particularly on Lewis. There are so many great drivers as well.”

On the other side, Lewis Hamilton, who has been a key figure at Mercedes since 2013, winning six of his seven world titles with them, also addressed the rumors. He reaffirmed his dedication to Mercedes, particularly after signing a new two-year contract, dispelling any notions of a move to Red Bull.

The team dynamics at Red Bull further diminish the likelihood of such a high-profile move. Sergio Perez, currently Verstappen’s teammate, has proved his mettle by securing second place in the drivers’ championship, especially notable with his third-place finish in Las Vegas. This performance seems to solidify Red Bull’s driver lineup for the upcoming season, with Verstappen and Perez forming a formidable team.

In conclusion, while the rumors of Hamilton joining Red Bull have created a buzz in the Formula 1 community, the reality seems to be a continuation of the current team structures. Verstappen and Perez are set to remain at Red Bull, while Hamilton continues his legacy with Mercedes, dispelling the swirling rumors in the world of Formula 1.