Sainz warned leaving Williams for Red Bull could be ‘even worse’

The Spaniard, after leaving Ferrari at the end of 2024 following the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, committed to James Vowles’ project at Williams, fully aware that, at least in the short term, a return to fighting for podiums and wins would be unlikely. The 2025 season, however, proved surprising in some ways, with two podium finishes secured despite early struggles in his head-to-head battle with Alexander Albon. This year, though, Williams have slipped back, finding it difficult to keep pace even with direct rivals such as Haas and Alpine.

Speaking to a betting site, the Italian suggested that leaving a team like Williams would not make much sense for Sainz at this stage, even with the possibility of a move to Red Bull. He pointed to the ongoing loss of key figures within the Milton Keynes outfit, warning that the situation could even see them fall behind teams like Williams, making any potential switch far from straightforward.

At the same time, he highlighted the progress shown by Williams last season, stressing that the team is on an upward trajectory and benefits from a strong Mercedes power unit, reinforcing the idea that staying put could be the more sensible option for now.

“So, to leave a team like Williams would not make sense. He maybe could go to Red Bull, but they’re losing all the key people, at the end they are going to be maybe even worse than Williams. It is not an easy position for him at the moment. But I think Williams last year proved they are really improving. They have a good engine because it’s a Mercedes engine.”

Speaking on the Drive to Wynn podcast, the former Haas team principal reflected on Red Bull’s recent exodus and the team’s dip in form at the start of the 2026 season, pointing to a combination of factors behind the downturn. He suggested that once the wins began to dry up, scrutiny around Christian Horner intensified, creating an environment of uncertainty within the organisation and opening the door for key figures to explore opportunities elsewhere.

Steiner also highlighted how several high-profile departures, including Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, have contributed to the situation, underlining the scale of the changes within the team. Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in Laurent Mekies’ leadership, noting that while the Frenchman has the qualities to guide the team forward and attract new talent, rebuilding the structure will take time.

Steiner stressed that the issues accumulated over the past two years cannot be resolved in just a few months, and warned that Red Bull should not expect an immediate return to dominance, with any recovery likely to be a gradual process over the coming seasons.