Lewis Hamilton accused of stabbing Mercedes in the back ahead of F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has been accused of trying to leave Mercedes for Red Bull before signing new deal
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Lewis Hamilton tried to leave Mercedes for Red Bull, Christian Horner has sensationally claimed ahead of this weekend's F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Stevenage-born racer has been with the Silver Arrows ever since 2013, winning six Formula One titles in the years since departing McLaren.
However, in recent times, Hamilton has struggled to challenge Max Verstappen for F1 supremacy.
The Briton is yet to win a race this season ahead of the final event of the campaign this weekend, with Verstappen dominating the sport instead.
Lewis Hamilton tried to leave Mercedes for Red Bull, according to Christian Horner
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And Horner, speaking to the Daily Mail, has now sensationally claimed Hamilton has tried to join his Red Bull side.
Talks have taken place but the 38-year-old is committed to Mercedes, having signed a new deal earlier this year.
Horner said: "We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining.
"They have reached out a few times.
"Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest.
"He met John Elkann (Ferrari chairman), too. I think there were serious talks.
"It was around Monaco (in May). There were definitely conversations, perhaps with Vasseur, too. But certainly with Elkann.
"But I can't see Max and Lewis working out together.
"The dynamic wouldn't be right. We are 100 per cent happy with what we have."
Hamilton knows Mercedes are a shadow of the team they used to be, with the team winning just one race in the past two years.
Yet while he's always been loyal to the team, it seems he was recently open to a sensational departure.
Horner is refusing to say which member of Hamilton's camp contacted him - which only adds to the intrigue surrounding the situation.
But it appears Hamilton isn't quite as happy at Mercedes as he insists he is, despite extending his contract earlier in the year.
Horner has long made it clear that, with Verstappen, Red Bull don't need another driver to challenge his chances of glory.
And the Red Bull chief also insists he's committed to his current role, despite talk he could become the next chief executive of F1.
"We obviously had an incredible period with Sebastian Vettel," he added.
"And then we went through the dark years when we had an uncompetitive engine.
"Shareholders were getting disenchanted with the sport and we managed to turn it around.
"My passion is motor racing and Formula One and I have no burning desire to do anything else.
"I have a professional respect for Toto [Wolff]. We're getting on great since he hasn't been competitive."
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Hamilton and Verstappen are currently gearing up for this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Mercedes star has won that race five times over the years, with his first success coming all the way back in 2011.
Verstappen has won the last three events in the Middle East, however, and is seeking a 19th triumph of the season.
Hamilton was denied glory in Abu Dhabi in controversial circumstances two years ago.
That's still a sore point for Mercedes, with Toto Wolff recently admitting 'personal anger' over that scandal is fuelling his mission to make Hamilton a champion once again.