Nicole MulderManaging Editor
Nicole Mulder is Managing Editor at GPblog and a specialist in Formula 1 and MotoGP. With years of experience and permanent FIA accreditation at Grands Prix worldwide, she delivers reliable coverage and insights based on direct access to drivers and the F1 paddock.
Carlos Sainz made his Formula 1 debut in 2015. He did so at the same time as Max Verstappen, with whom he also became teammates at the then Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull Racing's sister team. Sainz talks about that first year as a teammate of the now triple-world champion.
Sainz on F1 debut year with Verstappen
Verstappen finished ahead of Sainz in the championship in his debut year, but the Spaniard did manage to occasionally beat his teammate - a feat that may have been underestimated with today's knowledge. "I had a good first year in Formula 1 in 2015. Maybe back then people didn't quite see the talent and huge potential Max had as a driver," the Ferrari driver said in conversation with the Spanish edition of GQ.
"People did not yet know what he was going to be. He is a three-time world champion, he is on his way to the fourth and I would even dare to say the fifth, if Red Bull continues like this. You have to appreciate that first year I drove against him and how it went," Sainz stated.
2024 is Sainz's last year at the Italian racing team. Next year, he has to make way for Lewis Hamilton, who is leaving Mercedes after 12 seasons to take up a new challenge at Ferrari. For his part, Sainz has signed a multi-year contract at Williams, where he will drive alongside Alex Albon.
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This article has been written in collaboration with Matt Gretton
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