Red Bull Racing has downplayed talk that it could make a move to sign McLaren's Lewis Hamilton if the British driver gets disenchanted at his team's struggles.
With Hamilton apparently heading into the campaign behind the front runners, after McLaren's new MP4-26 struggled with pace and reliability, there has been talk that the former World Champion could consider future options outside the team if matters do not improve. Hamilton's current contract runs until the end of 2012, but his decision to appoint Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment company to be his new management team is evidence that he is now focusing on sorting out what is best for his long-term future.
With Red Bull Racing the current pacesetters, and having a second seat open with only Sebastian Vettel contracted beyond the end of this year, the reigning champions are an obvious option for Hamilton. But team principal Christian Horner says that the outfit has not singled out Hamilton as a potential target.
"Lewis is a great driver, a former World Champion and one of the best there is," Horner was quoted as saying by Britains Press Association. "You would think he is not going to be happy if he has another barren year, but that's not to say we are looking for Lewis to come to our team.
"We're very happy with the two drivers we currently have, but it's more of a question you're going to need to ask Lewis than certainly I can answer for you."