Horner plays down Hamilton link

Despite all the ongoing speculation surrounding Lewis Hamilton currently, it appears he will not be moving to Red Bull in the foreseeable future. That is the view of Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, who believes partnering the 2008 champion with current champion Sebastian Vettel would be difficult. Hamilton met Horner on the Saturday of the Canadian Grand Prix sparking speculation that Hamilton was negotiated a deal to sign for Red Bull for either next season or 2013. Moreover, recent revelations regarding a release clause in his Mclaren contract, which could see him depart at the conclusion of this campaign, intensified such rumours.

However, with such a significant car advantage currently and with Vettel continuing to dominate the sport so emphatically, it appears that Red Bull do not need Hamilton. Vettel is under contract at Red Bull for the next three years and will undoubtedly lead the Red Bull attack this generation. Furthermore, there seems to be no need for the Red Bull hierarchy to depart with Mark Webber, even if the Australian has been steady if not spectacular this term. He has yet to finish a race thus year out of the top five, and this consistency should reward with an additional year for next season, unless he seeks pastures new.

Although from a marketing outlook signing Hamilton would be sensational, from Horner's point of view his arrival could be potentially catastrophic. Horner compared Hamilton's possible arrival at Red Bull to that of Mansell v Piquet and Senna v Prost. He feels that in spite of having two of the best drivers in his set up, his team may implode. He knows how disruptive Vettel and Webber were last season and how Ferrari almost sneaked a title under their noses. Replicating such a chaotic scenario will be far from Horner's mind.

So where does Hamilton go now? He is undeniably motivated by more victories and titles and Red Bull will almost certainly provide that. Hamilton, who was overtaken by Vettel in race wins in Valencia ten days ago, must acknowledge that he will have to remain at Mclaren for the immediate future. There would be no place for him at Ferrari given Fernando Alonso's supremacy at Maranello, while a move to either Mercedes or Renault must be viewed as a step down.

I posted a few weeks ago that the grass may not be greener at Red Bull for Lewis and I stand by that. Horner's comments have ensured that for the next few years at least, we will have three of the sport's top drivers in three different teams. Lewis' and Fernando's motivation to overcome the Red Bull domination of the sport will be at an all-time high and their attributes may reach new levels. With Vettel 77 points clear, hauling him back is exactly what F1 needs.

Josh.