Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has disclosed that the team would never consider signing Lewis Hamilton to partner Max Verstappen. Marko cited existing tension between the two drivers and cost-related considerations as the primary factors influencing this decision.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s Team Principal, had previously mentioned a representative from Hamilton’s side exploring a potential move, but Hamilton later clarified that it was his father, Anthony, who had initiated contact. Horner emphasized that a Hamilton-Verstappen pairing was deemed unsuitable: “The dynamic wouldn’t be right”
Marko, who plays a role in selecting drivers for both Red Bull teams, aligns with Horner’s perspective. He emphasized that aside from the team dynamic concerns, the financial aspects of such a move wouldn’t be feasible.
When asked by Autosport about the Horner and Hamilton saga, Marko said: “Christian informed me and showed me the text message he received, but I told him: ‘Hamilton and Max, that doesn’t work.’
“There was too much action and how should I say, in 2021, tension. And on the other hand, we cannot afford to have the two most expensive drivers in one team.
“It’s just never going to happen. So I told Christian: “No way.”
Despite ongoing speculation, Hamilton opted to extend his contract with Mercedes for two more years, securing his stay until the conclusion of the 2025 season alongside George Russell. Although he acknowledges the appeal of a seat with Red Bull, the seven-time champion reaffirms his commitment to Mercedes.
“Well, I mean, I think hopefully signing has just shown my commitment to the team,” Hamilton addressed.
“I think let’s be realistic every single driver that’s racing here, dreams of being in the winning car. I think probably in my younger days when I hadn’t, maybe had a lot of success, maybe in those McLaren days it would have been a lot more attractive.
“When I think about just from a racing perspective and just kind of my viewpoint on things I obviously showing when I moved to this team, I enjoyed moving from a more successful team to a team that hadn’t had success with the vision of growing and building with the team because when we did, it was just such a better feeling.
“Whilst every driver here looks at the Red Bull car and would love to drive that car and I’m not saying that I wouldn’t love to drive that car and experience how good that car is, every driver would feel that.
“I feel like we’ve had two really difficult years and if we work towards being that car, that’s gonna be a way better feeling than stepping into just the best car. It wouldn’t do much for me in the sense of just stepping into the car that’s been the most dominant car of all time. Working with my team to build, to be able to beat them, I think would be better for my legacy for sure.
