The F1 driver market took an unexpected turn with Lewis Hamilton’s surprising decision to join Ferrari. Although Mercedes had extended his contract, Hamilton opted to fulfill a long-held dream by signing with Scuderia, leaving his seat open and creating questions about Carlos Sainz’s future. The skilled Spanish driver, who has demonstrated strong form this season, suddenly found himself searching for a new team.
At 29, Sainz had several promising options yet was unable to secure a deal despite being considered for Hamilton’s position at Mercedes and even linked to a move to Red Bull. In an unexpected twist, Sainz instead committed to a multi-year contract with Williams, surprising many around the paddock. However, rumors are circulating again that Sainz could be in line for Red Bull, where he may be a contender to succeed Sergio Perez.
Could Red Bull Choose Carlos Sainz Over Franco Colapinto For 2025?
Sergio Perez’s ongoing struggles this season have fueled speculation that his future with Red Bull may be in doubt despite having a contract that runs until 2026. As Red Bull considers potential replacements, rising Argentine talent Franco Colapinto has emerged as a notable candidate. Since stepping in for Logan Sargeant at Williams mid-season, Colapinto has shown promising performances, catching the attention of top teams. However, Williams’ lineup for next season is now set, with Carlos Sainz joining to partner Alex Albon, leaving Colapinto without a confirmed seat.
Amid this backdrop, reports suggested that Red Bull boss Christian Horner’s recent visit to Williams in Brazil was focused on Colapinto’s potential move to Red Bull. However, new information indicates that the talks may have actually revolved around Carlos Sainz. Juan Pablo Montoya, former F1 driver, has voiced his support for Red Bull to focus on Sainz over Colapinto, arguing that Sainz’s experience would make him a stronger fit alongside Max Verstappen than the relatively untested Colapinto.
Montoya sees the move as a safer option for Red Bull, pointing out that Perez’s experience has made him a valuable asset and cautioning against the risk of placing a rookie in the intense environment of a top-tier team. He notes that while a newcomer like Colapinto might manage well against someone like Albon, handling Verstappen’s consistent high-level performance would be an entirely different challenge. Montoya believes that Sainz, with his proven abilities and familiarity with top competition, would offer Red Bull a more reliable and competitive pairing, reducing the likelihood of costly errors on track.
Juan Pablo Montoya Reveals Hidden Exit Clause In Carlos Sainz’s Williams Contract
Reflecting on Red Bull’s potential driver choices, Juan Pablo Montoya shared that if he were in Christian Horner’s position, he would challenge Williams’ commitment to Franco Colapinto. Montoya suggested that Red Bull should leverage Williams’ investment in Colapinto’s development by pushing them to prioritize his growth, thus potentially freeing up Carlos Sainz for Red Bull.
Montoya believes that Sainz, given his ambitions, may have included an exit clause in his contract with Williams. According to Montoya, this clause likely allows Sainz to leave if he doesn’t achieve competitive results or a stronger offer arises. Montoya argued that Red Bull could capitalize on this clause, proposing that Williams could choose to either lose Sainz now and benefit financially or risk losing him later with no compensation.
