Lewis Hamilton comes out clear about Red Bull shift after explosive claims by F1 Teammate

Lewis Hamilton has responded to Max Verstappen's comments after it was reported that the Mercedes driver had held conversations with Red Bull about a 2024 race seat. These are the assertions made by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner ahead of this weekend's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of Formula One (F1).

3 things you need to know

• Hamilton responds to Verstappen's comments
• Per reports, Hamilton contacted Red Bull
• Hamilton rubbishes reports

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Is Lewis Hamilton in talks to make a switch to Red Bull?

As per reports, a member of Hamilton's representatives contacted the Milton Keynes-based squad before the 38-year-old signed a new contract with Mercedes earlier this year. But Hamilton denied such reports, telling the media before this weekend's race that neither he nor any of his management team had met with Red Bull. He did, however, claim that Horner had actually reached out to him.

He said: "I've checked with everyone, no-one from my team has reached out to him. "However, he had reached out to me about meeting up at the end of the season."

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Max Verstappen on whether he would welcome Hamilton at Red Bull

Verstappen was asked during his pre-race media duties about whether he would have welcomed Hamilton as his Red Bull team-mate next season - and his answer may have surprised some fans.

He said: "I wouldn't mind. It doesn't matter, anyone [could be my team-mate] - I don't want to put it particularly on Lewis. There are so many great drivers as well."

Hamilton, though, has responded to the three-time F1 champion's comments - believing that Verstappen would not actually want him as his team-mate and in the same car if it came down to it.

Hamilton told Sky Sports 1: "I 100 per cent would be more than happy to race against him in a equal car. For me, Red Bull has done an amazing job, and it is an incredible team. Any driver would love to drive for such a great group of people.

"I think moving from a car that's not so great to a winning car, from my perspective, that's not a dream. The dream is always to start where we kind of are and build up to then winning. That's why I've stayed with Mercedes.

"I don't think [Verstappen] wants me to be his team-mate."