Hamilton comments suggest Red Bull move not imminent

Lewis Hamilton has poured cold water on speculation he is courting a move to Red Bull in the near future.

The rumours were triggered recently by Christian Horner, who predicted the 2008 world champion will be knocking on his door if McLaren have another fallow season.

But Hamilton on Tuesday is quoted in multiple British reports as hitting out at the reigning champion team, including by doubting Red Bull will ever be a permanent grandee like McLaren or Ferrari.

"I am 100 per cent certain that McLaren or Ferrari will never let that happen," said the Briton.

"Ours have status they would like to keep. Red Bull are not a manufacturer, they are a drinks company. I don’t know what their plan is," added Hamilton.

He also struck out at Red Bull’s claim about driver equality, suggesting that Mark Webber is clearly teammate Sebastian Vettel’s number two.

"It appears to me that it is a clear number 1 team," said Hamilton. "Mark has also stated it hasn’t he?"

The 26-year-old also said his relationship with his own teammate Jenson Button is better than the atmosphere at Red Bull.

"We don’t need any edge between us, it’s not like Red Bull," said Hamilton.

Meanwhile, given the ’liegate’ and ’hoon-driving’ scandals of past years, it might be said that Melbourne is not Hamilton’s favourite spot on the calendar.

"I go back with a plan not to be in the stewards’ office and not to be met by any of the police," he smiled.