Ferrari’s announcement of Lewis Hamilton as their new driver for 2025 left Carlos Sainz’s Formula 1 future uncertain. The Spaniard had a decent run alongside Charles Leclerc but was overlooked by the Scuderia management for a seven-time world champion. Thus, the rumors linked him to several F1 teams like Mercedes, Red Bull, etc. It was believed he could be a perfect like-to-like replacement for Mercedes, as Kimi Antonelli was still too young. However, the Silver Arrows shut the Spanish racer’s door after signing the Italian prodigy.
Thus, Sainz’s hopes hinged on Red Bull, which was looking for an alternative for the struggling Sergio Perez. However, contract negotiations fell through, and Sainz ultimately settled for a deal with Williams. Later, RBR revealed that the 29-year-old was never on their plan, and they are grooming young talents. However, recent speculations have sparked a new debate about whether Sainz still holds a chance to replace Perez.
Carlos Sainz Believes He Could Have Formed A Strong Partnership With Max Verstappen
One reason behind Red Bull’s reluctance to sign Sainz appears to be the turbulent history between Sainz and Max Verstappen during their time as teammates at Toro Rosso in 2015. The intense rivalry between the two drivers, vying for a coveted promotion to the senior Red Bull team, led to frequent clashes on and off the track. This competitive atmosphere ultimately saw Verstappen promoted just four races into his second season, leaving Sainz behind at Toro Rosso.
Sainz, however, has argued that the rivalry was fueled by the structure at Toro Rosso, which prioritized driver shootouts over team harmony. Reflecting on their past, Sainz suggested that the tension was a result of being pitted directly against Verstappen in a high-stakes battle for advancement. He believes both he and Verstappen have matured significantly since those early days and could now work well together if given the opportunity.
Moreover, he pointed to his harmonious relationships with recent teammates, such as Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, as evidence that he can thrive in a cooperative environment. Sainz also expressed his frustration with the notion that his past relationship with Verstappen might have influenced Red Bull’s decision, calling it an incorrect assumption and something he has directly addressed with the team.
Carlos Sainz Explains His Williams Move
Carlos Sainz revealed that his decision to join Williams was driven by his desire to be part of a team with strong potential for both immediate and long-term competitiveness. While the decision was difficult, Sainz considered several appealing options before trusting his instincts. He expressed great respect for the Audi brand, mentioning that his father has always been confident in Audi’s future success, but Sainz wanted to ensure that his move would allow him to achieve strong results in the short term as well.
Despite the opportunity to help build a team, Sainz believed that Williams, under the leadership of James Vowles, presented the best opportunity for immediate success. He remains firm in his decision and believes that time will confirm whether it was the right one. Trusting his gut feeling, he is confident that joining Williams will provide the best solution for his short—and medium-term goals in Formula 1.