The wave of disruption in the Drivers’ market started with Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move. Despite Mercedes extending his contract, the Briton inked a fresh deal with Scuderia. While this was his childhood dream, it left Carlos Sainz in a void of uncertainty. The Spanish racer, brilliant in the current season, was on a voyage to find a new team.
While plenty of options were available for a driver of his calibre, the 29-year-old racer could not strike a deal. He was considered a like-to-like replacement in Mercedes and also an option for Red Bull. However, the Spaniard shocked everyone when he signed a multi-year deal with Williams. McLaren racer Lando Norris shared his thoughts on Sainz’s move to Williams.
Lando Norris Expected Sainz To Drive For Red Bull
Carlos Sainz is among the most talented drovers’ on the grid. Despite being replaced by Hamilton, he put on a solid show in every race. The Esapniol is currently at P5 in the driver’s standing and is expected to advance. However, his F1 future was among the biggest speculations in recent times. The rumours made him a part of almost every F1 team. However, a driver of his calibre would definitely want to drive a fast car. Thus, no one expected him to join a team like Williams. Previously, he had chuckled at the question regarding his move to Williams. Therefore, Lando Norris was also surprised by this move. He shared his thoughts on a recent episode of Sky Sports F1 podcast.
Lando Norris expressed his opinion on Carlos Sainz’s career move, stating that he believes Sainz should have joined Red Bull. Norris, who knows Sainz well, highlighted his respect for the driver, noting that Sainz has proven himself to be one of the best in Formula One. He expressed his happiness for the Spaniard’s continued presence in the sport and his new role with Williams, where Sainz will partner with Alex Albon. The McLaren racer sees this move as positive for Formula One, though he acknowledged that many might have preferred to see Sainz at Red Bull. However, he made it clear that such decisions are beyond his control.
This Is Why Sainz Was Never In Contention For The Red Bull Seat
The British F1 analyst Martin Brundle believes the father-son dynamic of Verstappens and Sainzs will prevent RBR from signing Carlos. Jos Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Sr were Torro Rosso’s teammates and had a long history of disagreement. Furthermore, their intra-team competition was so intense that they became bitter enemies. Thus, Carlos Sainz was never an option for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.