Carlos Sainz opens up on hype around Max Verstappen: “Well before his F1 debut”. Carlos opens up on hype around Verstappen.

Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has emphasized that he recognized the burgeoning excitement surrounding Max Verstappen even before the two of them embarked on their Formula 1 debuts together almost one decade ago.

The pair were elevated to racing positions at Toro Rosso in 2015 as part of the Red Bull junior program, with Max Verstappen achieving the distinction of becoming the youngest-ever Formula 1 driver at the tender age of 17 when he debuted in the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit.

During their joint participation in 23 races, Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen showcased closely aligned performances. The Dutchman’s ascent to Red Bull was propelled before the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, an event he went on to win after an extended duel with Scuderia Ferrari Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen. While Max Verstappen has since secured 46 victories and two championships during his tenure with Red Bull (with the third one on its way this season), Carlos Sainz’s trajectory has led him from Toro Rosso to Renault [now Alpine], then to McLaren, and ultimately to Scuderia Ferrari where he replaced Sebastian Vettel, culminating in his maiden triumph at last season at the Silverstone circuit, which remains his only Formula 1 win so far.

As the F1 community anticipated its return from the summer hiatus with the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, Max Verstappen’s home race, Carlos Sainz was questioned by the media about when he initially sensed the burgeoning excitement around the Dutchman. He responded:

“If there was something Max never lacked, it was hype around him. I think he had the hype even well before his debut in Formula 1, when he was in F3 [in 2014], he already had a lot of following. His first year in Formula 1, he came in and stormed it, so it doesn’t surprise me at all, because since I debuted with him in 2015, eight years ago, I’ve always seen that hype. I’ve always understood it, because he is a special talent and someone that is performing really, really well since the beginning.” – the Ferrari man pointed out.