Red Bull Racing chief Helmut Marko has shared his thoughts on Carlos Sainz’s brilliant start to 2024 amid interest from the team in signing him.
Carlos Sainz is the most high-profile driver looking for a new seat in Formula 1 after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next year.
Speaking to Austrian outlet Laola1, Marko shared his thoughts on the 29-year-old three-time race winner.
Helmut Marko gives his verdict on Carlos Sainz amid Red Bull interest
If you’re going to drive for Red Bull, Christian Horner isn’t the only person you need to impress within the team.
Every young driver that enters the Red Bull Junior Team has to impress Helmut Marko first and the 80-year-old keeps a very close eye on every youngster under their supervision.
Formula 3 star Arvid Lindblad has spoken about his relationship with Marko, while Daniil Kvyat previously talked about how he was one race away from being sacked by the experienced Austrian.
Carlos Sainz will know Marko all too well from his time within the Red Bull group.
After working his way through the ranks as a junior driver, Sainz was given his chance with Toro Rosso.
He spent nearly three seasons with the team before joining Renault and has gone on to have a fine career in F1 ever since.
There’s talk that Christian Horner is more interested in bringing Sainz to Red Bull than Marko is.
However, it’s impossible to ignore the 29-year-old’s performance in Melbourne after winning the race following Max Verstappen’s retirement.
That in itself is a fantastic achievement, but to do it after having an appendectomy just two weeks beforehand highlights his determination with his F1 future on the line.
Helmut Marko a notoriously hard man to impress in Formula 1
Asked about the Spaniard’s start to the season, Marko said: “Of course his form is fascinating.
“Checo [Perez] has had three good races this year. In Melbourne, he fell behind, thanks to a damaged floor and tyre wear, and his only weakness is qualifying.
“If he improves on that, we won’t have to think about anything [in regards to making a change for 2025 to the driver line-up].”
It’s interesting that Sergio Perez’s form was raised by Marko regarding Sainz’s win in Australia.
The Mexican driver has entered the final year of his contract and will be well aware that every driver on the grid would love to be in his position right now.
Peter Windsor has shared that the talk in the paddock is that Perez has already signed a deal with Red Bull for next year.
Red Bull may not want to commit so quickly to their number two driver, especially with Max Verstappen’s future far from confirmed right now.
Sainz will know he needs to keep putting in performances that are impossible for Red Bull and Marko to ignore.
Carlos Sainz among options Red Bull considering as Sergio Perez replacement
Sergio Perez will be aware that some very strong drivers are potentially in the running to replace him next year.
Alongside Sergio Perez, Christian Horner is taking a serious interest in Fernando Alonso with his Aston Martin contract expiring.
The idea of combining Alonso and Verstappen in the same team would create some box office entertainment, although the Dutchman’s camp might not be thrilled with the team bringing in such a strong competitor for their driver.
Alex Albon is also a potential target and has reportedly been offered a contract for 2026 to replace Perez.
It’s going to be fascinating to see who lines up in that second Red Bull seat and it’ll have a huge bearing on how the rest of the grid is formed.
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