Carlos Sainz says he ‘doesn’t understand’ why Red Bull and Christian Horner didn’t sign him to partner Max Verstappen for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Last year, after it was announced that Sir Lewis Hamilton would be taking his seat at Ferrari, Sainz was looking to join a new team and had become a very desirable target.
The four-time race winner was heavily-linked with a sensational return to Red Bull having come through their academy and made his debut at junior team Toro Rosso, alongside Verstappen, in 2015.
While the move was backed by many pundits and fans, then-team principal Horner decided to extend the contract of Sergio Perez, leading Sainz to sign for Williams.
It was thought that tension between the Verstappen and Sainz camps had been a factor in the decision, but the Spaniard claims that is not the case, telling the High Performance podcast: ‘The only thing I can say is I genuinely get on well with Max.
‘This is what people don’t see from the outside. We had a rivalry in our first year in Formula 1 in Toro Rosso, but it was a relatively healthy rivalry in terms of him and me, the way we used to go about racing. And now we get on really well.
‘So, if that’s the reason, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t want me next to Max, because I think we would actually be a very strong pairing in Formula 1.
‘If the opportunity had come, I probably would have taken it.’
The decision backfired on Horner as Perez’s performances slumped, costing Red Bull the constructors’ championship, with the Mexican subsequently sacked and replaced by Liam Lawson.
Lawson in turn was axed after just two races this year and his replacement Yuki Tsunoda has also struggled, with Red Bull, so dominant just a few years ago, looking likely to finish fourth in the standings this year.
The results on the track, as well as issues off it, cost Horner his job, with Red Bull ‘relieving him of operational duties’ shortly after the British Grand Prix a few weeks ago.
Finding a teammate who can get close to four-time champion Verstappen’s performances has been a major issue for the F1 giants since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2018.
Sainz was beaten by the Dutchman in their only season together, when they were both rookies, but the 30-year-old has always been highly-rated, impressing during his time at Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and Ferrari.
‘I think everyone’s having a really tough time being Max’s team-mate. I can only say that when I was Max’s team-mate, I didn’t have this tough time,’ he added.
‘I was obviously incredibly surprised with how quick he was, with how he’s an insane driver. I mean, he’s going to go out to be one of the best ever in history, if he’s not already one.
‘But that first year together, since then, has given me the confidence to know I can be up against anyone. I’ve been team-mates with Charles Leclerc, with Lando Norris, with Nico Hulkenberg, very quick guys, and probably the best in the sport.
‘Now Alex Albon is incredibly fast also, and it just makes me want to be up against the best still. I know I can take it, and I know I’ve been successful in the past.’
Sainz is admittedly having a tough time this season as he adapts to Williams, with just 13 points from 12 races, compared to teammate Albon who has 46.
He’ll have a chance to climb up the standings this weekend when F1 heads to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix.
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