Bilal Saeed
Few events in recent memory have heated the pot as much in the always dramatic world of Formula 1 as Carlos Sainz’s thwarted return to Red Bull. Max Verstappen, of all people, put a premature end to what appeared to be a strategic masterstroke that may have changed the outcome of the championship battle. Sainz was viewed by many as the best option because Sergio Pérez’s contract was about to expire and Red Bull was considering its options for the future. As a former member of Red Bull’s junior program, he has expertise, is a proven race winner, and has a unique understanding of the company’s environment. The discussion was essentially cut short when Verstappen intervened, allegedly refusing to accept Sainz as a teammate, just as everything appeared to be falling into place.
You have to go back to 2015, when Verstappen and Sainz made their Formula 1 debuts at Toro Rosso, to see why this move was vetoed. From the start, there was fierce competition between the two novices. Carlos Sainz, who came with polish, talent, and pedigree, was the son of rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr. But Max Verstappen delivered something very different—a raw, explosive racing talent that was hard to overlook. One of the most talked-about dynamics in the paddock was the internal conflict at Toro Rosso. Despite Sainz’s technical skill and fluid driving style, Verstappen stood out for his unrestrained aggression and superb racecraft. Bypassing Sainz, Red Bull made the contentious but ultimately successful choice to move Verstappen to the senior squad in the middle of the 2016 season. The reward was instantaneous: Verstappen became the youngest Grand Prix winner in Formula One history after winning his debut race for Red Bull in Spain.
It was a harsh pill for Sainz. He was left behind at Toro Rosso and had to watch his old teammate take centre stage. The legacy of Verstappen’s quick ascent never truly went away, even if Sainz was able to establish a good career with Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari. Even if the competition was no longer in the news, it was still present. When 2025 rolled around, Sainz saw another unique chance to rejoin Red Bull. However, history was repeated, as Verstappen—who is currently the team’s uncontested king—allegedly used his power to stop the reunion.
Red Bull has been a one-driver team in all but name since 2021. Verstappen is the focus of every vehicle development, strategic decision, and long-term strategy. Red Bull has chosen to remain clear, in contrast to teams like Mercedes, where Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were free to duel (with all the fireworks that went along with it). The top player is Verstappen. Anyone joining the team has to come to terms with that or find another seat. Sainz became problematic at that point. Sainz is not the type of driver who prefers to play second fiddle to Sergio Pérez, who, despite his brilliance, has mostly accepted his supporting role. Verstappen was sufficiently threatened by the fact that he would have entered Red Bull expecting equal position to decline.
Additionally, there is a personal component. The relationship between Verstappen and Sainz was not very good, even at Toro Rosso. Their altercations were widely reported, both on and off the track. Red Bull was even accused by Sainz of favouring Verstappen. Those tensions never went away completely. Sainz’s return might have added a turbulent element to Verstappen’s otherwise cohesive squad. And Red Bull, a group that values accuracy and cohesion, wasn’t prepared to take that chance.
Red Bull has plenty of options, which further complicates the situation. Fan favourite Daniel Ricciardo, who has unresolved issues, has been on AlphaTauri’s redemption storyline and is still a possibility. Yuki Tsunoda has made significant strides and contributes marketing and strategic value due to his close relationship with Honda. One of the most intriguing young drivers rising through the ranks is Liam Lawson. Red Bull believes Lawson has a bright future and might be preparing him for a high-level position. In light of these decisions, the higher-ups didn’t think it made sense to hire a driver who might cause conflict among the team.
The denied move is a serious setback for Sainz. He must make certain decisions that will define his career now that Red Bull has closed its door. Given that Hamilton’s 2025 transfer to Ferrari will free up a place, Mercedes may be a landing destination. Another option is Aston Martin, contingent on how well they perform. Audi Sauber, a project with significant risk but long-term potential, is the wild card in all of this. In 2026, Sainz might take the lead at Audi as the face of a brand-new squad supported by the factory. However, that is a long-term risk, and it is still unclear if that project will be competitive.
There are disagreements among fans. Verstappen’s action, which shuts the door on anyone who may question his supremacy within the squad, is viewed by some as a premeditated act of self-preservation. He has earned the right to mould the squad around him, according to others. He has, after all, won three world titles and is still going strong. First and foremost, Red Bull is a company. Additionally, safeguarding Verstappen becomes the top responsibility if he is the product. Nonetheless, a rising number of supporters think Sainz was cheated. They hope he finds another stage to demonstrate his value since they see him as a great performer who hasn’t received the recognition he merits.
Whether Verstappen and Red Bull made the right decision is now the key question. Would Sainz have pushed Verstappen in a constructive rivalry and taken the team to new heights? Or would his presence have damaged Red Bull’s chances of winning the title and broken the dynamic? Red Bull may come to regret this choice if its subsequent selections don’t work out and Sainz succeeds somewhere else. Only time will tell on Formula 1’s constantly changing grid.