Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz were teammates at Toro Rosso.
Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and Carlos Sainz have been teammates in the past.
Since it was announced that Carlos Sainz would be replaced in 2025 at Ferrari, the Spaniard has stood out. The driver has shown exceptional skills in tight race situations in Bahrain, reaching a podium finish. He then convincingly won the Australian Grand Prix after recovering from appendicitis. These performances have made him one of the most sought-after drivers in the 2025 driver market.
With his recent displays, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged that Carlos Sainz is a potential candidate to replace Sergio Perez in 2025. Following Horner’s statement, former Ferrari engineer Marco Knoors suggested that current F1 champion Max Verstappen may not be in favor of this hiring due to Sainz’s abilities.
Knoors also believes that securing a driver of Carlos Sainz’s caliber for the Red Bull seat, amidst rumors of Verstappen’s departure, would provide stability to the team and potentially lead them to a future World Championship. Sainz has caught the attention of several team principals, and if he continues to perform at the same level, it is only a matter of time before a top team signs him.
Yuki Tsunoda had an impressive start to the 2024 Formula 1 season. The Japanese driver consistently outperformed his more experienced teammate in all races and achieved a respectable 7th place in Melbourne.
Considering Tsunoda’s exceptional performances, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko was asked about his chances of securing a seat at Red Bull in the future. Marko emphasized the need for Tsunoda to maintain consistent performances, as he did in Australia, to be considered for the seat.
If Yuki Tsunoda can maintain the same level of performance he showed at the beginning of the season, he will be a strong contender for Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull in 2025. Only time will tell if he can sustain this level of performance throughout the year, but with the next race being in his home country, he will certainly be highly motivated.