Dutch F1 pundit Ernest Knorrs says Max Verstappen “doesn't want” the “politics” and “pressure” it could bring on reuniting with Carlos Sainz as team-mates next season. thinking.
Verstappen and Sainz teamed up as Toro Rosso rookies in 2015, but Sainz is currently, in his own words, “out of a job” heading into 2025, but a strong start to the season could spark interest. Highly sexual.
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz at Red Bull? “Interesting” suggestion
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has confirmed that Sainz could be one of Verstappen's potential partners in 2025. Sainz, a former Red Bull driver, was something of a nemesis to his former employer as the only non-Red Bull race winner since mid-season. -2022.
However, Sainz is likely to be one of a number of candidates Red Bull is considering, especially current driver Sergio Perez, who Horner and the team will “lose” the seat to in 2025. Given that emphasis, they are not short of options. Who will line up with the three-time world champion?
But former Ferrari engineer Knorrs pointed out that if Verstappen's own future lies elsewhere, Sainz would be a strong bet to sign with Red Bull next season.
“I think this is very interesting,” Knorr told Motorsport.com.
“I think we need to see a little bit of this in the power struggle with Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, Red Bull Thailand and Red Bull Austria.
“If Christian feels that Max Verstappen and Jos Verstappen and Helmut Marko in his camp are putting pressure on him, he can say, 'Yes, a player like Carlos Sainz.' . If we bring that to the table, we have someone we can potentially become champions with.”
Recommended by PlanetF1.com
Ranked: 5 most underrated drivers on the F1 grid in 2025 market
Red Bull's 2025 shortlist: 6 drivers to partner Max Verstappen
“That's what he's going to think and it's going to really increase the pressure on Max.
“Max doesn't want Carlos Sainz as a teammate. I think there's a lot of politics involved in that, but Christian is obviously very politically smart.”
“I don't think it's the best choice or the most obvious choice as Max's teammate, but if Max actually says, 'I'm going somewhere else,' I would be very happy with Carlos Sainz. You'll get a good driver.
“We can use this to force Max to do something. But this is a politically important season.”
Read next: Revealed: The exact moment Max Verstappen knows he's 'preparing to retire'