Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has put a dampener on the rumours that Lewis Hamilton could be joining the outfit in the near-future to partner Sebastian Vettel.
Horner says he has ‘severe reservations’ as to whether such a talented line-up would be best for the team, despite the attractiveness of such a line-up from a competitive and marketing point of view.
The 37-year-old cited that history has taught him to avoid running two drivers of such calibre, which might upset one Mark Webber.
“On paper a Vettel-Hamilton line-up would be hugely attractive,” he is quoted as saying by SkySports. “But you have to look at the reality, at how these things work, and history dictates that two world-class drivers in the same team has not always been the best pairing.
“You only have to think of Senna-Prost, Piquet-Mansell, or even Alonso and Hamilton.
“We are hugely happy to have Sebastian [Vettel] committed to the team long term, and with Mark [Webber], we’re very pleased with the job he is doing.
“Our focus at present is on those two drivers rather than looking to change anything.
“Lewis is a wonderful driver, and you can understand why he might want to drive a Red Bull. It’s obvious,” he added. “But would it be the best thing for us? We have severe reservations it would be.”
When asked if the speculation surrounding the two would faze Webber, who is expected to be re-signed later this year for 2012, Horner replied: “He’s been around long enough to know to ignore it.
“I believe he is comfortable in the team and if he had any concerns then I’m sure he’d ask me.”