Lewis Hamilton has hit out at Christian Horner after the Red Bull team boss claimed the seven-time Formula One champion wanted to join his team.
Red Bull have dominated consecutive F1 championships with Max Verstappen set to complete an imperious season at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Their performance is in stark contrast with that of Mercedes, where Hamilton has been unable to win a race for two years.
Horner revealed that a member of Hamilton's team had been in touch over a possible switch to Red Bull earlier in the year, but that has been refuted by the 38-year-old.
"I don't really know where that story's come from," he told Sky F1.
"I don't really understand what Christian is on about!"
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 23, 2023
Lewis Hamilton responds to rumours linking him with Red Bull 😱 pic.twitter.com/kU8QRoxWik
"I don't really understand what he's been talking about because no one from my team as far as I'm aware has spoken to him.
"I haven't spoken to Christian, really, in years.
"However he did reach out to me earlier in the year about meeting up, but that's it. I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said hopefully soon I'll be able to fight against them in the near future - that was it.
"So I'm not really sure, think it's just stirring things."
He added: "There aren't any confidential discussions. You know Christian, he loves that kind of stuff."
Red Bull chief Horner, 50, claimed that Hamilton's team had reached out to himself and Ferrari over a possible departure from Mercedes.
"We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining," he told the Mail.
"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, too. I think there were serious talks.
"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."
Sergio Perez's seat at Red Bull has been under threat in recent months but AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo is thought to be the favourite to take the Mexican's job if they make a change. However, that is unlikely to happen during the winter break.
Hamilton went on to address his future at Mercedes when speaking on Thursday.
"I would be more than happy to race Max in an equal car," he said. "Red Bull have done an amazing job and are an incredible team. Any driver would love to drive for such a great group of people.
"I think moving from a car that's not so great to a winning car, from my perspective that's not a dream. The dream is always to start where [Mercedes] are and build up to winning. And that's why I've stayed."
