P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Carlos Sainz has reflected on missing out on the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen before ultimately joining Williams.
Carlos Sainz expressed his confusion over Red Bull’s decision not to have him partner Max Verstappen in their F1 driver line-up, despite their previous working relationship at Toro Rosso.
The 30-year-old highlighted that his experience alongside Verstappen was not as challenging as others’ rookie seasons together, suggesting a strong partnership potential.
Following his departure from Ferrari in 2024, Sainz became a highly sought-after free agent in the F1 market, but both Red Bull and Mercedes chose different paths.
Speculation arose about tensions between Sainz and Verstappen, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko describing their past relationship as “toxic,” although Sainz disagrees with this assessment.
Sainz emphasized his good relationship with Verstappen and his belief that they could form a formidable team, expressing his confusion over Red Bull’s decision.
