Throughout the 2024 Formula One season, Carlos Sainz’s name had come up several times as a potential teammate for Max Verstappen at Red Bull for 2025. However, that won’t happen: Milton Keynes opted to retain Sergio Perez, so the Spaniard signed with Williams instead.
A Carlos Sainz – Max Verstappen pairing wouldn’t have been entirely new. The two shared the garage at Toro Rosso in 2015 and the early part of 2016, before the Dutchman was promoted to Red Bull.
Their relationship at the time was far from ideal, and this may have influenced the present. Helmut Marko suggested that one of the possible reasons behind the missed deal between Carlos Sainz and Red Bull might have been the “friction” with Max Verstappen during that period.
A different situation
In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Carlos Sainz dismissed any concerns from the Milton Keynes team.
“I think I’d get along well with him,” said the Spaniard. “Back then, we were 16 and 19; we’ve matured a lot. At Toro Rosso, they put you in the team and tell you, ‘Fight each other, then we’ll see who’s the best and who gets promoted to Red Bull.’ That’s why Toro Rosso exists.” – the Ferrari driver pointed out.
“You’re not racing together for the constructors’ championship; otherwise, the behavior between two drivers would be completely different. You can see that with Charles and Lando, my last two teammates; there have never been any issues. So if my relationship with Max was the reason I didn’t end up there, I’d say there wouldn’t have been any problems. If the decision was based solely on that, then it’s simply wrong, but I’ve already said that.”
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