Lewis Hamilton happy at McLaren despite Red Bull rumours

Lewis Hamilton has played down talk of a move to Red Bull for 2013

Lewis Hamilton has insisted that he wants to stay with McLaren, provided that the car remains competitive.

The 26-year-old driver met with rivals Red Bull's team boss Christian Horner in the paddock at the Canadian Grand Prix on Saturday.

But Hamilton says he has no reason to leave McLaren in the immediate future.

"We are the only other team that has won races this year, so I don't see why you'd want to move when you have the most competitive car," said Hamilton.

"So as long as we have the car that can do the job, then there will be no reason to leave."

The Briton's comments come a day after his management company, XIX Entertainment, denied reports that he was talking to other teams about a move.

Hamilton, who has collected only eight points in the last two races, also shrugged off the importance of Saturday's meeting with Horner.

"I know all the managers, the bosses and I know lots of people at the teams," he added.

"I know [Ferrari team principal] Stefano Domenicali and we chat all the time, with [Mercedes vice-president] Norbert Haug we chat all the time, and Christian.

"When I was going from Formula 3 to GP2 I had a meeting with Christian, when he was running the Red Bull team back in Formula 3000 I think it was.

"But I know everyone, so I speak to all the people during the weekend."

Hamilton retired from Sunday's Grand Prix in Montreal after colliding with team-mate Jenson Button on the start-finish straight.

The result means Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, is now fourth in the drivers' championship, 76 points behind leader Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull after seven races.