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Was Carlos Sainz Considered as Verstappen's Teammate at Red Bull?

08:16, 29 May

byKevin Doldersum

Carlos Sainz lost his spot at Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton. This news was revealed in 2024 before the F1 season had fully begun. The Spaniard thus had almost a year to explore his options and secure the best possible seat. Ultimately, he chose Williams, but there was much speculation about a potential transfer to Red Bull Racing. Sainz explains whether he was considered as a replacement for Sergio Perez to take on the role of Max Verstappen's teammate.

The disappointing performance of Perez in the past Formula 1 season led to Liam Lawson being promoted from the now Racing Bulls to Red Bull ahead of the 2025 season. However, this was short-lived, as after two mediocre Grands Prix, the New Zealander was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda. Sainz himself was not particularly impressed by this move earlier this year.

Yet, Red Bull could have possibly avoided this rapid driver swap. Sainz has proven himself as one of the best drivers on the grid, especially adept at making the right decisions during a race. The Williams driver possesses an immense amount of racecraft. This has led to him achieving four victories over his F1 career. Furthermore, the 30-year-old has proven he can match teammates like Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc in equal machinery. In his first season, the Spaniard even showed he was close to Max Verstappen, his teammate at Toro Rosso at the time.

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Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz at Toro Rosso in the Spanish GP of 2015

Sainz was part of the Red Bull family until 2018, spending the last two seasons on loan at Renault. After freeing himself from his contract with the Austrian squad, Verstappen's former teammate achieved many successes with McLaren and Ferrari. The Spaniard proved during this period that he belongs to the absolute top in Formula 1 and arguably deserved more than a seat at the Williams team.

Sainz Reveals the Possibility of a Move to Red Bull

Given Sainz's impressive performances in recent years and his history with Red Bull, it seemed there were options for the Spaniard to drive for the Austrian team in 2025. In the El Cafelito Podcast from Charenguito inside, the driver was asked about this option, to which he replied: “That wasn't a consideration. I spoke with Red Bull, of course. And they weren't there. Red Bull didn't want me. For one reason or another, no agreement was reached.”

When pressed on what exactly was happening, Sainz continued: “I think those who know Formula 1 will know why Red Bull didn't want me. Nothing against Red Bull and their decisions, but I did have to make a life for myself with someone else.”

Finally, Sainz was asked whether Verstappen played any significant role in this decision. “I don't know, ask him. You don't know what it means to make a life for yourself with someone else,” concluded Sainz.