In 2012, Lewis Hamilton expressed strong interest in joining Red Bull Racing, but the team declined his approach to keep their internal dynamics intact, Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal at the time, disclosed. This decision occurred during Red Bull’s dominant period in Formula 1, underscoring the complexity behind Hamilton’s search for a competitive seat away from McLaren.
Hamilton began his Formula 1 career with McLaren in 2007 and secured his first world championship the following year. Despite his early success, his team struggled with consistency throughout the early 2010s. Meanwhile, Red Bull and their star driver Sebastian Vettel enjoyed unparalleled success, capturing all the world championships between 2010 and 2013, making them the powerhouse of the sport then. With Red Bull’s dominance, Hamilton sought to switch teams to remain a title contender.
Christian Horner revealed that Red Bull could not accommodate Hamilton while Vettel remained their lead driver. Hamilton’s desire to join was persistent, especially for the 2013 season, prior to his final decision to move to Mercedes.
“He was desperate to drive for the team. In 2012, he wanted to come and drive for us, but there was no way we could accommodate him while Sebastian [Vettel] was with us. Then before he signed for Mercedes, he was very keen to drive for Red Bull for 2013.”
—Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal
Hamilton’s eventual move to Mercedes marked a turning point in his career, leading to six additional world titles and securing a record seven world drivers‘ championships to date. His choice proved pivotal in establishing Mercedes as the new dominant force in Formula 1.
Lewis Hamilton Reflects on Christian Horner’s Leadership at Red Bull
After spending several successful years at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton transitioned to Ferrari for the 2025 season, embarking on a new chapter in his Formula 1 career. Christian Horner, meanwhile, continued as Red Bull’s team principal until his unexpected dismissal just a month before this season, an event that surprised many within the F1 community.
Hamilton publicly acknowledged Horner’s impact on the sport and the team during an interview with Sky Sports. Reflecting on their early encounters, Hamilton highlighted Horner’s remarkable growth and contributions to Red Bull’s success.
“It’s been incredible to see the progress. I remember sitting with Christian, sitting in his office in GP2. I was in Formula 3, but looking to go into GP2 for his first year. I think he was at Arden. I wouldn’t say we hit it off from the get-go! But to see his progression and career, it’s been clearly remarkable what he did with the team.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 Driver
“With a huge group of amazing people, to really run an organisation that big and that well takes talent and skill and that’s what he brought to the team. So, I wish him all the best.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 Driver
Despite the promising transition to Ferrari, Hamilton’s start with the Italian team has been challenging. Over 14 races, he has accumulated 109 points and is focused on improving his performance as the season progresses.
The Lasting Impact of Red Bull’s 2012 Decision
The choice by Red Bull in 2012 to pass on Lewis Hamilton significantly influenced the trajectory of Formula 1’s competitive landscape. While Hamilton found tremendous success with Mercedes, Red Bull maintained their status as one of the sport’s elite teams under Horner’s guidance. The mutual exclusivity between Hamilton and Vettel shaped an era dominated by these two forces, whose rivalry and respective team dynamics defined championship battles for years.
Looking ahead, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari promises to reshape F1’s competitive balance, while Red Bull continues to navigate leadership changes after Horner’s departure. This period marks a critical juncture as the sport evolves, with both Hamilton’s career and Red Bull’s future remaining compelling storylines to follow.