“I don’t perceive why” Pink Bull rejected me as Max Verstappen team-mate

Williams Method 1 driver Carlos Sainz “doesn’t perceive” why he was refused a chance to return to the Pink Bull fold and show himself in opposition to Max Verstappen after being dropped by Ferrari for 2025. 

Sainz was given his begin in F1 via the Pink Bull junior programme, becoming a member of the sequence in 2015 at Toro Rosso alongside Verstappen. Nonetheless, tensions flared between the pair as they fought for an opportunity to show themselves to Pink Bull and the F1 paddock. 

Tempers settled as soon as the drivers went their separate methods, with Sainz additionally racing at Renault, McLaren and Ferrari within the years since. However the rift got here to gentle as soon as once more final 12 months, when Sainz was on the hunt for a drive after being dropped by Ferrari to make method for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.   

The differing opinions of Sainz and Verstappen had been seen by some as a purpose that the Spaniard did not make a transfer again to the Pink Bull fold. However Sainz believes the pair had a “wholesome rivalry”, and added that his relationship with the four-time world champion has improved since. 

“The one factor I can say is I genuinely hit it off with Max,” Sainz informed the Excessive Efficiency podcast.

“That is what folks do not see from the skin. Like, we had a rivalry on our first 12 months in Method 1 in Toro Rosso, however it was a comparatively wholesome rivalry by way of him and me, the best way we used to go about racing. And now we get on very well.

“So, if that is the explanation I do not perceive why they would not need me subsequent to Max, as a result of I feel we might really be a really sturdy pairing in Method 1.”  

Sainz went to Williams as an alternative, and Pink Bull signed Liam Lawson to associate Verstappen on the senior crew – however he was demoted after simply two races. Yuki Tsunoda then made the step up, however has confronted comparable struggles matching Verstappen since transferring to the crew.   

Sainz believes he would have been a safer pair of palms at Pink Bull, and added that his historical past of protecting tempo with the Dutchman exhibits he can race “in opposition to anybody”.

“I feel everybody’s having a very powerful time being Max’s team-mate,” Sainz mentioned. “I can solely say that once I was Max’s team-mate, I did not have this powerful time.  

“I used to be clearly extremely stunned with how fast he was, with how he is an insane driver. I imply, he will exit to be among the best ever in historical past, if he isn’t already one. However that first 12 months collectively, since then, has given me the boldness to know I will be up in opposition to anybody.” 

Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Sainz partnered Verstappen for your entire 2015 season and the primary 4 races within the following 12 months. Verstappen outscored Sainz in 2015, ending the 12 months greater than 30 factors forward, and completed greater than the Spaniard over the primary 4 races the next 12 months. 

Within the years since, nonetheless, Sainz has turn out to be a formidable opponent, and was the one non-Pink Bull driver to select up a race win in 2023. 

“I have been team-mates with Charles [Leclerc], with Lando [Norris], with Nico Hulkenberg, very fast guys, and possibly one of the best within the sport,” Sainz mentioned.   

“Now Alex [Albon] is extremely quick additionally, and it simply makes me wish to be up in opposition to one of the best nonetheless. I do know I can take it, and I do know I have been profitable previously.”