Carlos Sainz has revealed he would have accepted an offer to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull had one come his way last year. The Spaniard, now racing for Williams, admitted the opportunity would have been hard to resist, given Red Bull’s dominant position in Formula 1. However, that call never came, and he ultimately chose to join Williams, believing the team offered the full backing he needed at this stage of his career.
Sainz became one of the most talked-about free agents in the paddock following the announcement that Lewis Hamilton would join Ferrari in 2025, effectively ending his time with the Scuderia. Though linked with several top teams including Red Bull no deal materialized. Instead, Red Bull opted to re-sign Sergio Perez. That decision backfired, and the team cycled through replacements, including Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, but neither driver managed to solidify the second seat alongside Verstappen.
Reflecting on the situation, Sainz acknowledged he was aware of why Red Bull passed on him but chose not to disclose the details publicly. Still, he believes the move to Williams was the right one, even if it appeared to be a step down in terms of performance. Sainz has already delivered solid results with the team, collecting more points than Tsunoda despite Williams having fewer resources.
He emphasized that full support from a team was a key factor in his decision, suggesting that Williams offered him a leadership role and long-term commitment he might not have received elsewhere. His early performances have validated that choice, and he remains focused on helping the team climb back into regular contention.
Sainz’s history with Red Bull stretches back to his debut season in Formula 1, when he raced alongside Verstappen at Toro Rosso in 2015. Their rivalry was intense, driven in part by the ambitions of their respective fathers, Carlos Sainz Sr. and Jos Verstappen. That dynamic ultimately led to Verstappen’s promotion to Red Bull’s senior team and Sainz’s move to other teams including Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari.
While the rivalry was fierce during their rookie season, Sainz says their relationship has since matured. He now gets along well with Verstappen and holds no resentment over the past. He acknowledges that their competition helped shape both their careers but maintains that the atmosphere is different now.
Even though he occasionally wonders how his career might have evolved at Red Bull, Sainz insists his focus is on the future with Williams and proving that he can be the cornerstone of their revival.
