Carlos Sainz is an option to take up either Red Bull seat in 2025, but people close to the Ferrari driver fear Max Verstappen could block him from replacing Sergio Perez.
The 29-year-old is firmly among the hottest items on the market after Ferrari confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will replace Sainz. A chance to sign the seven-time Formula 1 champion was simply too good for the Scuderia to refuse. Sainz was already out of contract after this term.
Sainz and Ferrari are now enjoying a farewell tour through 2024 which also saw him win the Australian GP. A brake issue forcing Verstappen to retire in Melbourne left the door open for the Spaniard, with Perez only able to bring the second Red Bull home in a distant fifth place.
Sainz’s camp fears Verstappen could block him from joining Red Bull
Perez will need vastly improved results to show Red Bull he merits a new contract for 2025. The 34-year-old is also out of contract after the 2024 season to leave a vacancy at one of F1’s elite teams. And Sainz is an option to replace Perez at Red Bull once he leaves Ferrari.
That is according to The Race but it reports that some people close to Sainz fear Verstappen might not welcome the Ferrari driver to Red Bull. The Spaniard’s camp senses the Dutchman may fear a disruptive relationship or want to avoid a teammate simply too good to be a No2.
Verstappen has not had to fight to be Red Bull’s No1 driver since Daniel Ricciardo raced with them in 2018. The 26-year-old and Sainz also shared a tense relationship as teammates with Toro Rosso in 2015. Tensions even extended beyond the at-the-time Formula 1 rookie pilots.
Their fathers – Carlos Sainz Sr and Jos Verstappen – plus their respective entourages made the atmosphere at Toro Rosso ‘quite toxic’. Sainz Sr and Verstappen Sr both enjoy essential roles in their sons’ careers. So, Red Bull may be reluctant to risk a repeat in their main team.
Ferrari star Sainz is Red Bull’s top target to replace Verstappen in 2025
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has also dubbed the atmosphere between Sainz and Verstappen as ‘quite toxic’ at Toro Rosso. But Sainz could still move to Milton Keynes for the 2025 season. Sainz is also an option to maybe replace Verstappen at Red Bull next year.
That is according to Sky Germany, which reports that Red Bull have identified Sainz as their top target to replace Verstappen,. It even quotes team principal Christian Horner admitting that ‘you can’t rule out any possibility’ of signing Sainz after he won the 2024 Australian GP.
Verstappen is under contract at Red Bull through 2028. But the three-time champion is also the subject of speculation that he might try to force a move away for 2025. So, Red Bull are considering Sainz, who Jaime Alguersuari calls ‘complete’, having upheld a good connection.
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