It seems like an eternity. In 2015, there were two rookies who got to drive their first season in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso. One was called Max Verstappen, the other was Carlos Sainz. Verstappen finished three places higher in the championship that season and was given an opportunity at Red Bull Racing the very next season. Sainz still got to the top (at Ferrari) via a diversion.

Although Helmut Marko never felt the need to also promote Sainz to Red Bull, the Austrian team's advisor does hold the Spaniard in high regard. "Sainz is without doubt a great driver," Marko told Marca. "He was almost equal to Max at Toro Rosso. He was just unlucky to have Verstappen as a teammate."

Choice for Marko easy

That Marko decided never to give Sainz a chance alongside Verstappen at Red Bull was because the atmosphere between the two drivers was very bad. "With who we all had under contract (including Daniel Ricciardo, ed.), I didn't see how we could keep him with us. So Carlos went to Renault, McLaren and eventually ended up at Ferrari."

Marko praised Sainz for the career he now has. Initially, the Spaniard stood in the shadow of his father, multiple rally champion Carlos Sainz senior. Meanwhile, junior is a more than established name in motorsport. "Sainz was almost on the same level as Max Verstappen... Almost. But when we had to choose between Max and Carlos, it was clear what to do," Marko said.