Red Bull Racing, currently the most dominant force in F1, is relying on only one driver to produce results on most race weekends. Max Verstappen is responsible for team’s unimaginable glory whilst his teammate, Sergio Perez struggling with the configuration of the car.
Moreover, with Perez’s contract expiring by the end of the 2024 season, rumors of his replacement has picked up pace, more significantly after Ferrari dropped Carlos Sainz to sign seven time world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Is a reunion between Sainz and Red bull on the cards? Or will Checo claim an extension deal?
Carlos Sainz Shakes Hands With Red Bull Senior Helmut Marko At Suzuka!
In a monumental decision, Ferrari dropped the only non-Red Bull winner of the 2023 F1 season, Carlos Sainz, to sign seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in a multi-year contract starting from 2025. That leaves Sainz without a seat for the next year. However, the free agent has left no stone unturned in proving himself to the world. The Spaniard once again ended Red Bull’s winning streak by crossing the checkered flag first in Melbourne. That being said, with Sergio Perez struggling to keep up with his teammate Max Verstappen, it’s highly likely the drink-based outfit will drop him by the end of his term this year. And Sainz has emerged as the ideal replacement so far, given his past association with the racing team.
Carlos Sainz made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso back in 2015 as a part of Red Bull’s junior program. While he ended up switching teams every now and then, the love does not seem to have been lost. Sainz was seen having a warm chat with Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko at the Suzuka track earlier today. He greeted Marko, and the duo shared a handshake, sparking speculations about a potential move. Notably, Helmut Marko called Sainz an exciting talent after his Australian GP win. However, the senior refused to jump the gun on Checo, which has been off to a decent start so far. He feels Sergio Perez’s issues stem from poor qualifying sessions. If he manages to edge past the same, Checo can be a far better driver than what is currently assumed, added Marko.
Carlos Sainz Also A Probable Candidate For Mercedes!
It goes without saying that Carlos Sainz will have many offers lined up by the end of the season. It is just about making the right choice, be it with Red Bull Racing or perhaps Mercedes. The Silver Arrows will say goodbye to Lewis Hamilton, and Sainz appears an ideal driver swap candidate, as admitted by team principal Toto Wolff himself.
Wolff said he is sorting out all the options and is not in a hurry to announce a replacement for Hamilton just yet. The team principal confessed that Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and even Sebastian Vettel are on the table as he is not ruling out any option at the moment. However, to convince Sainz, Wolff needs to come up with an extraordinary offer with enough emphasis on the future.
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