Christian Horner doubts Red Bull were the only team contacted by Lewis Hamilton's camp over a shock move... as the Red Bull chief claims he can't blame the British star for considering future away from Mercedes

Christian Horner says he can't blame Lewis Hamilton for seeking options outside Mercedes after going without a win for two years.

The Red Bull team principal revealed in an interview in Mail Sport this week that someone from Hamilton's camp inquired earlier in the year whether he would be interested in signing the seven-time world champion for next season.

Intrigue followed as Hamilton hit back by saying it was actually Horner who spoke to him first. Red Bull countered by going on the record to state that it was Hamilton's father Anthony who made the initial approach prior to the star driver agreeing a new two-year deal with Mercedes worth a total £100million.

'I have known Anthony Hamilton for many years,' said Horner of Lewis's former manager and guide through the formative years of his rags-to-riches career. 'He is a good guy, a proud racing father and inevitably when drivers go through tough spots - and Lewis has not won a grand prix for two years - it is inevitable questions will be asked up and down the paddock.

'There was never any engagement and I don't know who represents who, but with the surname you would think they are reasonably close.' 

And ahead of the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Horner was asked if Mercedes would be surprised to learn that Hamilton might have considered a seat elsewhere, not least aboard the Red Bull steamroller that has now won 20 out of 21 races in 2023. 

Horner said: 'Not really. He is the most successful driver of all time and he hasn't won a grand prix since 2021. You have not got to be a rocket scientist to work that out and I doubt I was the only one that an inquiry was made to.

'What the dynamics are in any given relationship (such as between Lewis and Anthony), I don't know. I am not privy to that, but inevitably questions are going to be asked. I don't think he was inquiring about himself coming to drive.

'It is remarkable how much traction this has got. It is a question of he said, she said, what said.' Horner seemed keen to draw a line under what has been a draining episode for all concerned - Hamilton and Mercedes, and himself and Red Bull - ahead of this weekend's closing grand prix in Abu Dhabi.