Christian Horner and Lewis Hamilton have had a strained relationship through the years since their first assembly within the mid-2000s however they may but be part of forces at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton and Christian Horner would possibly want a heart-to-heart if the previous rivals find yourself becoming a member of forces at Ferrari. Speak of Horner transferring to Ferrari has re-emerged after a dismal season for the Italian workforce, who had hoped to problem for each titles after ending simply behind McLaren in final 12 months’s constructors’ championship.
Forward of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, they are a distant third, a whopping 352 factors behind McLaren, who’ve already clinched the groups’ title. Horner, who was let go by Pink Bull in July, has been linked with a number of groups, together with Aston Martin, Alpine and Haas.
The 51-year-old has beforehand held discussions with the Italian outfit and in accordance with the Each day Mail, Ferrari chairman John Elkann continues to be eager on bringing him on board to exchange present boss Frederic Vasseur, who’s feeling the warmth regardless of lately signing a brand new contract.
‘Hole victory’ declare
Hamilton and Horner working collectively would definitely be an intriguing dynamic, contemplating their previous icy relationship. The duo had been on opposing sides as Hamilton, then with Mercedes, and Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen battled it out for the drivers’ title in 2021.
It was a riveting and bitter rivalry that led to confrontations each on and off the observe. In the course of the British Grand Prix that 12 months, Hamilton and Verstappen had a high-speed collision, ensuing within the Dutchman being flung into the boundaries with a 51G impression.
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Hamilton was discovered to be at fault and obtained a 10-second penalty, but nonetheless managed to win the race. An irate Horner felt the punishment did not go far sufficient and overtly criticised Hamilton, labelling it a “hole victory.”
He mentioned: “He should not be making manoeuvres like that. It’s unacceptable. Thank goodness the most important outcome for us right now is that he’s unhurt. I hope Lewis may be very pleased with himself.”
Horner continued: “Lewis has greater than sufficient expertise to know that’s unacceptable. I am very upset {that a} driver of his calibre ought to make such a transfer. It is harmful. For me, it is a hole victory.”
Nevertheless, Hamilton maintained it was a racing incident as he hit again at Horner, saying: “I do not actually have something to say to Christian. The win would not really feel hole. I do not suppose I’m able to should apologise for something.”
Hamilton’s ‘selective reminiscence’
In one other jibe, Horner accused Hamilton of getting a “selective reminiscence” after the seven-time world champion identified Pink Bull’s dominance in 2023, once they received all however one race.
Horner referred to Hamilton’s personal dominances whereas at Mercedes, the place he secured six drivers’ titles in seven years. Talking on the Eff Gained with DRS podcast, he remarked: “I really feel like he is received selective reminiscence.
“So , a few of the successful that they did in that interval was simply obscene. We have had a very good run for a few years, however the one man that should not be saying that, I’d suppose, is Lewis.”
Horner dismisses Hamilton swap
In the identical 12 months, Horner was adamant that there was no likelihood of Hamilton racing for Pink Bull after alleging that Hamilton’s father, Anthony, had approached him a few seat. In response, Lewis mentioned: “Nobody from my workforce has reached out to him.”
Horner then tried to make clear the scenario by saying: “It is a query of he mentioned, she mentioned, who mentioned, what mentioned. It is solely regular for drivers, drivers’ representatives, drivers’ dad and mom to have totally different conversations through the course of a 12 months.
“We have not had any severe dialogue with Lewis, there was by no means a seat accessible. I’ve identified Anthony Hamilton for a few years, he is a very good man, a proud racing father.”
Referring to Hamilton’s lack of victories since 2021, Horner pointedly added: “Inevitably, when drivers undergo powerful spots… Let’s face it, Lewis hasn’t received a Grand Prix for 2 years. Questions will likely be requested up and down the paddock. There was by no means any engagement.”
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