The prospect of a Hamilton-Verstappen superteam and the pairing of F1’s two superཧ♉star drivers would certainly make for a blockbuster story, but it is not something Red Bull would consider. 

Seven-time world champion Hamilton has already signed a new contract with Mercedes that ꦉruns until the end of 2025, while Verstappen, who sealed his third consecutive world title in a record-breaking 2023 season, is tied down to Red Bull until at least 2028. 

Horner was asked about the possibility of Red Bull making a shock move for Hamilton during an appearance on th⭕e ‘Eff Won with DRS’ podcast, but the Red Bull chief cannot envisage the combination working out, given their histoꦏry during a fierce and controversial title battle in 2021. 

“A Ve🐻rstappen and a Hamilton, that’s never going to work because you kill your own car,” Horner said, alluding to Hamilton and Verstappen’s dramatic clashes over the years. 

"You need to ౠhave a dynamic where the drivers drive for the team, not just for themselves. Otherwise, it can become very divisive.”

Horner’s comments echo his position from earlieᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚr in the season when the question of Hamilton’s avai🐟lability was put to him. 

“I can't see where we would be able to accommodate Lewis,” he tol⛦d Sky back in 🔯March. 

After two disappointing and▨ winless campaigns, 38-year-old Hamilton is hopeful Mercedes can bridge the gap to runaway champions Red Bull over the winter so he can renew his F1 rivalry with Verstappen.