Sainz makes huge Red Bull admission in 'I probably would have taken it' statement

16:20, 13 Jul

Updated: 16:55, 13 Jul

Co-author:Tobia Elia

byMarnik Kok

Carlos Sainz admitted without hesitation that he would have accepted the chance to race alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, despite the fact that their time together during their rookie year at Toro Rosso in Formula 1 wasn’t exactly smooth.

Last year, in the midst of the silly season and with Sergio Perez deep in a performance crisis, there was a lot of talk about a potential move for Carlos Sainz to Red Bull — a deal that ultimately didn’t materialize, with the Spaniard instead choosing to embrace James Vowles’ project at Williams.

However, as a guest on the High Performance podcast, the driver of the number 55 car admitted that ''if the opportunity would have came, I probably would have taken it.''

He then added:''Would have been the right thing for my career or how would life turn out from that point onwards? We will never know. So it's not worth discussing.''

''What I know is that I needed also a team that fully backed me, that fully gave me, I know what my abilities are as a driver. And I feel like in that sense, Williams has given me the right environment to thrive in with all these abilities.''

Sainz also looked back on his time alongside Verstappen: ''I was obviously incredibly surprised with how quick he was, with how he's an insane driver. He's probably, he's going to go out to be one of the best ever in history, if he's not already won the best ever in history.''

Does Sainz's experience give him a chance against Verstappen?

''That first year together since then has given me the confidence to know I can be up against anyone,'' Sainz responded.

''I've been teammates with Charles, with Lando, with Nico Hulkenberg. I've been, I think, teammates with very quick guys and probably the best in the sport. And now Alex, incredibly fast also.''

''It just makes me want to be up against the best still. It hasn't made me go, like 'no, I don't want it.' I know I can take it and I know I've been successful in the past.''

Sainz Sr back in the days said that he sees his son teaming up with Verstappen again: ''I don't know when he said that, but we've already had it,'' the Spaniard said.

''I think we've both moved on a lot as drivers. Probably Max has evolved massively as a driver, but also I have. So it's impossible to know. We will probably never know. That's probably not going to happen anymore.''

Whether that happens at Red Bull remains to be seen. The team already has enough on its plate with the departure of Christian Horner and the appointment of Laurent Mekies as the new team principal. Or will the new CEO turn to a familiar face instead?