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Christian Horner has claimed in a new book that Lewis Hamilton held an interest in signing for Red Bull during his time at McLaren after "losing heart" at the Formula 1 team. Horner reveals the bombshell in his new book titled 'Drive: A Memoir of Speed' - out on October 22 - as he claims the seven-time world champion asked what stood in his way of joining their F1 paddock. During his career, Hamilton has competed at the top level of racing for McLaren, Mercedes and most recently, Ferrari. He won one world championship with his first team, before securing six - including four in a row - with Mercedes. However, Horner claims that the Brit actually planned a move to Red Bull before his major success with Mercedes. In his new book, the ex-F1 chief 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.
"When a secret meeting was then called, with Lewis, at Adrian’s house near Ascot, my gut instinct was confirmed. He was looking to leave McLaren, and we were his preferred destination. ‘What will it take to join you guys?’ he said, as we sat down.
"Adrian, who is not known for his poker face, looked ecstatic. I could hardly blame him. A driver pairing of Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton was a tantalising prospect."
However, this wasn't the first time that Hamilton had teased a move to Red Bull. Horner explained: "But I had been in this exact position several years previously, when Lewis, then a teenage development driver with McLaren, had visited the Arden offices. It was 2004, we were the dominant team in Formula 3000, and Lewis was eager to join us for the following season.
"But McLaren, having become convinced of his talent, had already made a sizeable investment in Lewis’s future and were keen to hold him in Formula Three, where he would likely win the championship.
"Lewis had other ideas. He was ambitious; Formula 3000 (which would later become GP2 and Formula Two) was his preferred next step, but to get there he would likely have to leave McLaren. The financial implications of Lewis leaving and joining a team like ours were potentially messy.
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"'Before we go any further, tell me what McLaren have done for you,’ I said. ‘Well, they paid quite a bit towards my karting,' said Lewis. 'They paid for my two years in Formula Renault. They also paid my Formula Three budget.'
"I pointed to the window. Lewis’s Mercedes was parked outside. 'That too?' He nodded. 'They paid for a tutor so I could drive without ruining my education. They also pay me a small salary—' I cut in. 'Lewis, I don’t know any kid at your level who has that backing from a Formula One team.'
"'So, what should I do?' he asked. 'I think you should thank your lucky stars you’re where you are,’ I said. ‘You will not get a deal like this out of anyone else.'"
Cut to 2026 and Hamilton is now at Ferrari, having won seven titles and becoming a record holder across his F1 career. Horner is now out of the sport, having worked with Red Bull for two decades.
Christian Horner's book Drive is out on Thursday, October 22.
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