Speaking to the Daily Mail ahead of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale, Red Bull team principal Horner claimed the Hamilton camp had sought out a potential seat at the reigning constructors’ champion.
He said that out of several approaches over the years, “most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest”.
But Hamilton has rebuffed Horner’s version of events, instead claiming that the Milton Keynes team boss messaged the Mercedes driver first.
Speaking on Thursday in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton said: “No, I didn’t approach them… Christian messaged me.
“I’ve checked with everyone in my team, and no one has spoken to them. But they have tried to reach out to us.”
Hamilton reckoned Horner had text his old phone number, and he only saw the message months later but did then reply.
According to his version of events: “I picked up my old phone, which I just found at home, that had my old number on it.
“I switched it on and obviously hundreds of messages came through and I realised there was one from Christian to get together and have a chat at the end of the season…
Source: Autosport