Carlos Sainz Jr says he “doesn’t understand why” Red Bull decided against signing him as Max Verstappen teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The four-time Grand Prix winner was one of the high-profile free agents in the 2025 F1 driver market after he was unexpectedly released by Ferrari in favor of Lewis Hamilton.
Despite widespread anticipation that he might join either Red Bull or Mercedes for a shot at a championship-caliber seat, both teams ultimately decided against offering him a contract forcing Carlos Sainz to sign a multi-year deal with Williams.
In a recent interview, Sainz has openly expressed his confusion and frustration over Red Bull’s choice particularly in the context of reuniting with Max Verstappen who was his former teammate at Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls), and now a multiple World Champion.
Sainz ascended to Formula 1 in 2015 through the Red Bull junior program, partnered immediately with then-rookie Max Verstappen. Both were considered among the most promising prospects in F1, entering the sport with formidable reputations from junior categories.
Their partnership at Toro Rosso was characterized by intense intra-team rivalry, driven by both drivers’ desire to establish themselves in the Red Bull family.
Verstappen was eventually promoted to the main team while Sainz proceeded to race with Renault, McLaren and Ferrari and currently Williams.
After the Spaniard was let go by the Scuderia last year, the hunt for a competitive drive presented only two options: To replace Hamilton at Mercedes or a move back to the Red Bull fold to take over Sergio Perez’s seat.
While the Silver Arrows had confirmed rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli would be filling up the empty seat, the energy drinks manufacturer remained as the only option for Sainz, with many tipping him as the perfect match to replace Perez as Max Verstappen teammate.
However, the F1 paddock was divided on the potential move. Notably, Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko termed the relationship between Sainz and Verstappen at Toro Rosso as “toxic” within the team environment, citing this as a key factor in the decision to split them up.
Sainz recalls the rivalry as “relatively healthy,” asserting that the narrative of a “toxic” or detrimental atmosphere was more a creation of external observers than an accurate reflection of their relationship.
“The only thing I can say is I genuinely get on well with Max,” Sainz told the High Performance podcast. “This is what people don’t see from the outside.
“Like, we had a rivalry on our first year in Formula 1 in Toro Rosso, but it was a relatively healthy rivalry in terms of him and me, the way we used to go about racing. And now we get on really well.
“So, if that’s the reason I don’t understand why they wouldn’t want me next to Max, because I think we would actually be a very strong pairing in Formula 1.”
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Carlos Sainz eventually signed with Williams while Perez was replaced by Liam Lawson who lasted only two races before being demoted in favor of Yuki Tsunoda who also seems to be struggling to match Verstappen’s pace.
“I think everyone’s having a really tough time being Max’s team-mate,” Sainz added. “I can only say that when I was Max’s team-mate, I didn’t have this tough time.
“I was obviously incredibly surprised with how quick he was, with how he’s an insane driver. I mean, he’s going to go out to be one of the best ever in history, if he’s not already one.
“But that first year together, since then, has given me the confidence to know I can be up against anyone.”
Sainz has since proven his caliber by consistently delivering strong performances and victories under challenging circumstances. He was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race in 2023.
“I’ve been team-mates with Charles [Leclerc], with Lando [Norris], with Nico Hulkenberg, very quick guys, and probably the best in the sport,” Sainz said.
“Now Alex [Albon] is incredibly fast also and it just makes me want to be up against the best still. I know I can take it, and I know I’ve been successful in the past.”
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