Sainz looks back fondly at Toro Rosso: 'Battles with Verstappen were amazing'

McLaren driver Carlos Sainz Jr. looks back fondly of his time at Toro Rosso when he shared the garage with Max Verstappen, as the Spaniard remembers how fun the battles between the talented duo were in 2015 and 2016.

Sainz and Verstappen were both brought into the team in 2015, with Verstappen becoming the youngest driver ever to drive in the sport. 

As the season got going, it was clear that the two were very matched to each other, and some aggressive and spectacular battles between the two followed. In the media, it was perceived that the two didn't like each other because of it, but Sainz now reveals how fun those early days of his F1 career were.

"Every time I think back to it, I remember how much fun it was," the now McLaren driver told Motorsport.com Nederland.

"We had cool battles. We were both young hungry and a bit less mature. 

"At the start of our careers, we were both very hungry for success. That was very cool. Every lap in free practice or qualifying felt like the ultimate Q3 lap. We did everything to be quicker [than the other], it was very fun!"

The rivalry ended in May 2016, when Verstappen was suddenly promoted to Red Bull Racing, replacing the struggling Daniil Kvyat, who joined Sainz at Toro Rosso. The big tension within Toro Rosso between Sainz and Verstappen reportedly also played a part in it.

"Maybe there were team orders two or three times during a race," Sainz continued when asked how hard team orders were to accept.

"Then, at a young age, it was harder to accept, we were less mature. But I've never regretted anything I've done. We've had tense moments, just like any other rivalry, but when I look back, I look at an amazing period."