Former Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner revealed in his autobiography how Red Bull were close to signing seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton. Horner revealed the details of the same, and why the decision was turned down by the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Red Bull signed Mark Webber on a one-year contract extension for the 2012 season. The seat was available for the 2013 season. At the same time, Lewis Hamilton also showed interest in joining Red Bull, as revealed by Horner in his autobiography, Drive.
Hamilton began his F1 career at McLaren and almost won the championship in his rookie season. The following year, in 2008, he became the world champion. However, in 2012, the Briton was looking to part ways with the Woking-based outfit.
Christian Horner detailed the same and revealed details about a secret meeting, as he wrote,
“Lewis Hamilton seemed to be losing heart at McLaren. From the outside, his relationship with Jenson Button looked strained, and his head was dropping after a series of mechanical failures throughout 2012. I occasionally bumped into him at races, and we were always friendly (despite his comment about Red Bull being just a drinks company), but I thought he seemed strangely vulnerable for a former world champion.
“Then, while checking my phone for missed calls and messages one day, I noticed his father’s number on the screen and wondered whether Lewis was experiencing a change of opinion regarding Red Bull,” added Horner
“When a secret meeting was then called, with Lewis, at Adrian [Newey]’s house near Ascot, my gut instinct was confirmed. He was looking to leave McLaren, and we were his preferred destination,” Horner continued
Christian Horner reveals why Lewis Hamilton didn’t sign with Red Bull
Lewis Hamilton was represented by Simon Fuller back when he had the meeting with Red Bull. Christian Horner revealed how Helmut Marko wasn’t impressed by the idea of Lewis Hamilton partnering Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull.
However, the reason behind the potential deal falling through was the finances. Horner wrote,
“Intrigued, I tested the waters anyway. Simon [Fuller] was known to be a softly spoken person, but his opening gambit caused my ears to ring. ‘You and I can do the biggest sports deal since Muhammad Ali,’ he said boldly. I laughed, having grown familiar with the sports-agent vernacular. Simon was going to make a lot of money. And Red Bull would have to spend a fortune. Despite the undeniable marketing upside, I didn’t pursue the idea with any real forcefulness.”
“Of course, the stumbling block was money. Any deal that brought Lewis to Red Bull would require staggering sums,” added Horner
Unfortunately, Red Bull decided against signing Lewis Hamilton, and the Briton eventually signed with Mercedes for the 2013 season. He went on to win six F1 titles with Mercedes in the Turbo-Hybrid era.
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