“I don’t understand why” Red Bull rejected m...

Williams Method 1 driver Carlos Sainz “doesn’t perceive” why he was refused a possibility to return to the Purple Bull fold and show himself in opposition to Max Verstappen after being dropped by Ferrari for 2025. 

Sainz was given his begin in F1 via the Purple Bull junior programme, becoming a member of the sequence in 2015 at Toro Rosso alongside Verstappen. Nevertheless, tensions flared between the pair as they fought for an opportunity to show themselves to Purple Bull and the F1 paddock. 

Tempers settled as soon as the drivers went their separate methods, with Sainz additionally racing at Renault, McLaren and Ferrari within the years since. However the rift got here to gentle as soon as once more final yr, when Sainz was on the hunt for a drive after being dropped by Ferrari to make means for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.   

The differing opinions of Sainz and Verstappen had been considered by some as a purpose that the Spaniard did not make a transfer again to the Purple Bull fold. However Sainz believes the pair had a “wholesome rivalry”, and added that his relationship with the four-time world champion has improved since. 

“The one factor I can say is I genuinely hit it off with Max,” Sainz advised the Excessive Efficiency podcast.

“That is what individuals do not see from the surface. Like, we had a rivalry on our first yr in Method 1 in Toro Rosso, however it was a comparatively wholesome rivalry by way of him and me, the best way we used to go about racing. And now we get on very well.

“So, if that is the rationale I do not perceive why they would not need me subsequent to Max, as a result of I believe we’d really be a really robust pairing in Method 1.”  

Sainz went to Williams as an alternative, and Purple Bull signed Liam Lawson to associate Verstappen on the senior group – however he was demoted after simply two races. Yuki Tsunoda then made the step up, however has confronted related struggles matching Verstappen since transferring to the group.   

Sainz believes he would have been a safer pair of palms at Purple Bull, and added that his historical past of maintaining tempo with the Dutchman exhibits he can race “in opposition to anybody”.

“I believe everybody’s having a very robust time being Max’s team-mate,” Sainz stated. “I can solely say that once I was Max’s team-mate, I did not have this robust time.  

“I used to be clearly extremely stunned with how fast he was, with how he is an insane driver. I imply, he will exit to be among the finest ever in historical past, if he isn’t already one. However that first yr collectively, since then, has given me the arrogance to know I could be up in opposition to anybody.” 

Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Sainz partnered Verstappen for all the 2015 season and the primary 4 races within the following yr. Verstappen outscored Sainz in 2015, ending the yr greater than 30 factors forward, and completed increased than the Spaniard over the primary 4 races the next yr. 

Within the years since, nevertheless, Sainz has grow to be a formidable opponent, and was the one non-Purple Bull driver to choose up a race win in 2023. 

“I have been team-mates with Charles [Leclerc], with Lando [Norris], with Nico Hulkenberg, very fast guys, and possibly the most effective within the sport,” Sainz stated.   

“Now Alex [Albon] is extremely quick additionally, and it simply makes me need to be up in opposition to the most effective nonetheless. I do know I can take it, and I do know I have been profitable prior to now.”