Christian Horner ‘can’t see’ how Red Bull would fit Lewis Hamilton in should seven-time world champion leave Mercedes
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/03/2023 at 16:21 GMT
Pairing Lewis Hamilton with Max Verstappen might be considered a cheat code for Red Bull but don’t worry Formula 1 fans, Team Principal Christian Horner can’t see what move happening any time soon. Hamilton has been linked with a Mercedes exit due to the poor performance of the car for the past couple of seasons but Horner is expecting an improvement coming soon from his rivals.
Red Bull unstoppable in Saudi Arabia: Verstappen 'settles' for second behind Perez
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has said that he can’t see a way in which his team would be able to accommodate seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton should a shock move become a possibility.
Hamilton, 38, has been vocal in his frustration with the poor performance of the Mercedes car two races into the 2023 season.
Not only have Mercedes been unable to close the gap to back-to-back world champions Red Bull, but they appear to have been passed by Aston Martin and Ferrari.
Whilst Mercedes are level with Aston and ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ championship Hamilton finds himself down in fifth in the drivers’ championship, behind Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz Jr.
This has led to a lot of speculation over Hamilton’s future, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitting that Hamilton could look for another team if they can’t provide him with a quick enough car to help him win the coveted eighth world championship.
However speaking on Sky Sports about any possibility of Red Bull adding Hamilton next to Verstappen, Horner quickly played down any notion.
The Red Bull boss also pointing out that he was expecting upgrades to come for his floundering rivals.
"What Lewis has achieved in F1 is second to none," said Horner, "but we're very happy with the drivers that we have.
"They're committed as a pair not only this season but the next season as well.
So, I can't see where we would be able to accommodate Lewis.
"I'm sure they're going to sort their issues out - we're certainly not writing him off yet,
"We're hearing about big Mercedes upgrades, I'm sure Ferrari aren't happy with their current position as well.
"So, we're fully expecting things to converge quickly."
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Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
Image credit: Getty Images
Red Bull have won both of the opening races so far with Verstappen winning in Bahrain before Perez took the victory in Saudi Arabia.
Unsurprisingly Horner was also asked about the relationship of his two drivers.
There was clear friction during the race with both Perez and Verstappen being unhappy with team orders.
Perez was disgruntled at perceiving being told to keep a slower pace than Verstappen despite leading the race whilst the defending world champion pushed for the fastest lap despite being told not to focus on it.
"For us as a team, the responsibility is to give both drivers the same chance, the same opportunity, the same car - it's then down to what they do on the circuit," Horner explained.
"We've got two great drivers in Max and Sergio, there's a healthy respect between the two of the them, I expect that to continue."
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