Formula 1 in meltdown over explosive Lewis Hamilton counterclaim

All hell has broken loose at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Formula 1’s two biggest stars at the centre of a storm.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

All hell has broken loose at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Formula 1’s two biggest stars in a war of words.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has tossed a grenade into the pit lane as the season-ending event roared into the United Arab Emirates.

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Horner dropped a sensational claim Lewis Hamilton earlier this year approached him about moving to the Red Bull team.

Hamilton responded on Friday morning (AEDT) by turning the table on the Red Bull principal, suggesting Horner has approached him about the potential move.

Max Verstappen has now rejected the notion his team were considering approaching Lewis Hamilton to partner him in a dream line-up.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner was quoted in the British media this week claiming that Hamilton’s management team has “reached out” several times, adding that “earlier this year there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest”.

Max Verstappen wins again. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images.

But both Verstappen and Hamilton, speaking to reporters ahead of the final race of the season on Monday morning (AEST) at the Yas Marina Circuit, scotched the idea that the Briton was on the move from Mercedes.

“It’s not happening,” said Verstappen who has already wrapped up a third successive title.

“There’s no point to make up stories if it’s not happening.

“I wouldn’t mind, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to put it particularly on Lewis. There’s so many great drivers and sometimes it just doesn’t work out like that.”

Hamilton also distanced himself from Horner’s claims that he “reached out” before agreeing to extend his contract with Mercedes.

“I don’t really know where that story has come from,” said the seven-time champion.

“I know it’s come from Christian but I don’t really understand what he’s been talking about.

“No one, as far as I’m aware, from my team has spoken to him. I haven’t spoken to Christian in years.”

Hamilton added that Horner had approached him earlier this season. “I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said that ‘Hopefully soon I’ll be able to fight against you guys in the near future’. That was it. So I’m not really sure, I think he’s just stirring things.”

As first reported by Sky Sports, Hamilton claims Horner’s approach came trough a message.

“I’ve checked with everyone on the team, and no one’s spoken to them, but they have tried to reach out to us,” he said.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images.

“Basically, I picked up my old phone which I’ve just found at home that had my old number on it and I switched it on, obviously hundreds of messages come through and I realised there was one for Christian together and chat at the end of the season.”

He went on to say: “If you really think about it, there are a lot of people here that like to drop my name in conversations because they know it will make waves and if you are a little bit lonely, and are not getting much attention, that is the perfect thing to do, just mention my name”.

While the counterclaims suggest somebody must have told a lie, a report has revealed there may have been an approach Hamilton was not aware of.

As first reported by the BBC, a Red Bull spokeperson said Hamilton’s father was the one who made direct contact with Horner.

Hamilton’s father Anthony is not involved in his son’s management team.

Hamilton earlier said that he would like to compete with Verstappen in equal machinery.

“Yes, 100 per cent, I’d be more than happy to race against him in an equal car,” he said.

“Red Bull has done an amazing job and it’s 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 the dream.

“The dream is to start where we (Mercedes) are and build up to then winning. And that’s why I’ve stayed at Mercedes.”

He concluded to the written press in Abu Dhabi: “I don’t think he wants me to be his team-mate.”

— with AFP