Sainz Puzzled by Red Bull’s Rejection Amid 2025 F1 Driver Shake-Up

According to the High Performance podcast, Carlos Sainz has openly expressed his confusion over Red Bull Racing’s decision to pass on the opportunity to bring him back into the team following Ferrari’s decision not to renew his contract for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The Spanish driver, who began his F1 career with Toro Rosso in 2015 as Max Verstappen’s teammate, noted that his relationship with the current world champion has matured significantly over time.

“The only thing I can say is I genuinely get on well with Max,” said Sainz.

“We had a rivalry in our first year in Formula 1 at Toro Rosso, but it was a relatively healthy rivalry in terms of how we approached racing.”

Following Red Bull’s decision to move forward without him, Sainz ultimately signed with Williams for 2025. The team instead opted to promote Yuki Tsunoda, following a brief trial with Liam Lawson.

Sainz remains confident in his capabilities, emphasizing his track record against top-tier teammates, including Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Nico Hülkenberg. He also remains the only non-Red Bull driver to win a Grand Prix in 2023, a testament to his skill and resilience on the grid.

“I’ve raced against the best and held my own. I know what I bring to the table,” added Sainz.

As the 2025 F1 season approaches, Sainz’s move to Williams marks a new chapter — and his remarks reveal a driver still determined to prove he belongs among the sport’s elite.