Red Bull Racing opted not to sign Carlos Sainz as a replacement for Sergio Perez, despite Sainz's availability as a free agent. The team's principal, Christian Horner, explained the decision, citing Perez's strong performance at the start of the season and the desire to avoid further speculation.
Red Bull have yet to announce Perez’s replacement but Sainz was available as a free agent earlier this year after his shock switch from Mercedes to Ferrari was confirmed back in February, but Red Bull chose not to sign the Spaniard, who has since joined Williams. Four-time grand prix winner Sainz made his F1 debut alongside Verstappen at Red Bull ’s sister team in 2015 but never got the opportunity to race for the senior squad and eventually left the brand.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after Perez’s departure from Red Bull was finally made official, Horner indicated the team’s reasoning for not considering Sainz. “I think Carlos is a great driver and we’ve seen that obviously this year at some times,” Horner explained. “You’ve got to look at all the various criteria and dynamics. “At the point that we extended Checo’s contract you have to remember that he was second in the world championship and finishing on the podium in the first four out of five races. “At the time we signed he’d had four podiums in five races so it was a logical extension just to remove speculation of which there was already too much around the team.” Verstappen and Sainz were believed to have endured a fractious relationship as teammates at Toro Rosso. Earlier this year, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko claimed “the atmosphere between the two was quite toxic”. “Sainz is, without a doubt, a great driver,” Marko told Marca. “He was almost on par with Max in Toro Rosso. The bad thing for him is that he was unlucky to have Verstappen as a team mate “The atmosphere between the two at Toro Rosso was quite toxic. With the configuration we had then, I didn’t see a way to keep him with us, so Carlos went through Renault, McLaren and then he ended up at Ferrari.”Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok told the broadcaster’s podcast that he “doesn’t understand” why Red Bull didn’t sign Sain
Red Bull Carlos Sainz Sergio Perez Formula 1 Driver Replacement
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